Agency
As part of measures to address the prevalent mental health challenges, particularly exacerbated by the current economic hardship, the Sokoto State Government, in collaboration with a non-government organisation, Plan International, funded by Global Affairs Canada, rolled out a toll-free helpline for mental health and psycho-social support targeted for adolescents.
The State Commissioner of Health, Hajiya Asabe Balarabe, noted that emphasised that the initiative was part of the ‘Aspire Project’ initiated by the NGO to address mental health-related issues.
Director of Public Health in the ministry, Dr Abdulganiyu Yusuf, who represented Balarabe, reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing such measures in all health facilities across the state.
She added, “These include training and retraining of personnel to ensure mental health services are available in all Primary Health Care Centers in Sokoto State.”
While expressing gratitude to Plan International for its support, the commissioner assured of sustained government backing for all the project’s activities, underscoring its dedication to societal well-being.
Health, Mental Health and Psycho-social Support Officer of the organisation, Mr Camillus Ogba, explained that the event was aimed at promoting proper mental health among adolescents.
He stressed the importance of providing support to individuals facing mental health and psycho-social challenges by connecting them with professionals.
Ogba noted that the toll-free helpline would provide the citizens with a vital resource for addressing mental health challenges, adding that the project’s duration was five years and meant to cover all 23 local government areas of the state.
The officer encouraged the citizens to make use of the helpline to combat mental health and psycho-social challenges and strive for a healthier society.
A Senior Health Coordinator at Plan International, Dr Raphael Aworinde, explained that the Aspire Project addresses various adolescent issues, adding, “The initiative is in order to address the menace of sexual violence, unsafe abortion, child marriage, pregnancy complications, childbirth, HIV, and female genital mutilation among other violations.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the toll-free helpline for mental health and psycho-social support is 08002200101.
(NAN)
