Mental Health: TReND in Africa, GSU, move to tackle drug addiction among students in North-East
…seek domestication of Mental Health bill in states
By Chima Azubuike
The Teaching and Research in Neuroscience for Development in Africa, alongside Gombe State University on Thursday completed a two-day Science Festival.
Our Correspondent reports that the Festival which began from June 20 – 22 featured public lectures, Neuroscience outreach, Science exhibition, panel discussions, brain bee competition and presentation of certificates to schools and participants.
The Festival was organised by TReND Science Communication Hub Nigeria & Youth Neuroscience Society of Nigeria, Gombe State University with support from International Brain Research Organisation.
With the theme; Dispelling public misconceptions on mental health and the menace of drug addiction; societal role and the need for policy making in North-East Nigeria.
Speaking, Head of Department Human Physiology, Gombe State University, Dr Mustapha Shehu Muhammad, lamented the increasing rate of substance abuse, despite the overwhelming paucity of information on mental health.
Muhammad who doubles as Outreach Coordinator Nigeria for TReND Science Communication Hub, said the most pivotal means to defeat the growing trend was to embark on advocacy and information dissemination on dangers inherent in drug addiction.
He said, “Over the years that we have been conducting outreach programmes in different states and schools we realised that there is lack of awareness on mental health. Coupled with rise in drug abuse menace and addiction which has arisen among secondary school students. We noticed that there is high prevalence in Gombe, so we decided to come up with the theme in order to pass the advocacy to the very young ones so that it can be addressed before it destroys our society.”
Lamenting the spike in Gombe drug abuse prevalence, Muhammad said, “it was very sad and bad. When the current governor came in 2019. Gombe was the first in North-East, second in Northern Nigeria, second to Kano alone. This is very disturbing.”
The Outreach Coordinator called on relevant authorities to look at legislation towards tackling the scourge adding that “We need to look at the issue of legislation in order to curb this menace. There should be laws at both State and Local Government levels since it’s not only tackled by Federal authorities. There is no law, we are only operating federal law, as I mentioned earlier, the President has signed Mental Health bill what is important is for states to domesticate it to address some of these problems. States can also promulgate laws peculiar to the happenings around their environment.”
On the nexus between incidences of drug abuse and mental health, Muhammad added, “Usually drug abuse or addiction destroys the normal functioning of the body system as such it affects mental health and consequently mental health disorders which apparently doesn’t have cure at the moment only management.”
On her part, Senior Registrar, department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Dr Farida Aboki, blamed lack of support from male partners as major cause for mental health issues in women.
She said, “Lack of support, or financial difficulties. If the woman is used to abusing medication. When patients are having challenges usually we counsel them that they can overcome the challenges and we also involve the partner to provide more support to the woman.
“Research has shown that incidence of drug abuse is common in women than in men. This is because women are the vulnerable group and they are mostly dependent in men for most things and they carry pregnancy which comes with hormonal changes, and changes her body system.”
On curbing mental health issues in women Aboki said, “Women should be encouraged to seek antenatal care, during clinics they should voice out their complaints for it to be tackled. They should be counselled about pregnancy stages, delivery so that they don’t panic when the changes occur and on the dangers of substance abuse.”
On his part, Consultant Psychiatrist, Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Dr Amarya Phisagi, said most of his patients are from the state with some others coming from outside the state.
“Some come from outside of Nigeria including Cameroun and most parts of the North-East because of the hospitality of the facilities and proximity,” he said.
He decried the inadequate number of mental health professionals in the state, adding that nurses trained were retiring without replacement,”Well trained Nurses because of age some are about to retire, the ones available the burden is too much for them. I work for FTH Gombe, but because of the challenges I’m doing a stepping down assistance in State Specialist Hospital,” he added.
Phisagi noted that the spike of mental health sufferers presently is about 20 new patients everyday day, adding, “The department sees almost 10 per day with almost three clinics in a week. So give and take we see 10-20 new patients everyday in FTH and Specialist daily. The age range of patients I see some of them are adolescents or young adults between 15 – 21 but for dementia, depression caused mental health issue it cuts across major.”
Presenting a paper, State Commandant of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Okechukwu Nkere, harped on the role of society in drug control, urging individuals, parents, teachers, traditional/ opinion as well as religious leaders, media and local authorities to collaborate in tackling the scourge.
The NDLEA Gombe boss said, “The individual is regarded as the nucleus of any society and as such individuals should live a drug free life. Each individual should be a role model.
“Concerned community can give financial and material assistance to the drug control Agency. Should give information on drug dealers and other criminals to relevant law Enforcement Agencies.
“Mobilisation of the youths towards a drug free society by proper channelling of their energy and zeal; They should put up policies that are enforceable against drug abuse and trafficking and the penalty for non-compliance.They should be good role models.
“Dissemination of information and sensitisation of various target groups on the dangers inherent in drug abuse and illicit trafficking. Routine campaigns in schools as students have been found to be the most vulnerable group.”
On misconceptions by the public concerning mental health and drug use, Nkere added, “Myth: Mental health issues can’t affect me. Fact: Mental health issue can affect anyone.
“Myth: People with mental health condition are violent.Fact: Most people with mental health condition are no more likely to be violent that anyone else.
“Myth: There is no hope for people with mental health issue, once a friend or family member develops a mental health condition, they will never recover Fact: Studies have shown that those with mental conditions get better and many are on the path to recovery.
“Myth: One can stop using drugs anytime.Fact: In the case of people who are dependent, withdrawal symptoms and other social can make stopping difficult. But there are people and programs that can help.
“Myth: Teenagers are too young to get addicted. Fact: Addiction can happen at any age. Even unborn children can be addicted because of their mother’s substance use.
“Myth: Alcohol/drugs relieve stress. It helps deal with problems. Fact: Alcohol/drugs only makes people forget and not care about their troubles, when the effects wear off, the problem is still there.
“Myth: Once an addict, always an addict. Fact: Many people can recover from dependence, while others find it difficult. Recovery is a lifelong process that may require multiple treatment efforts.
“Myth: Having drugs/alcohol makes sex better. Fact: Alcohol and many other drugs lower inhibitions around desires, but heavy drinking dulls sensation and reduces performance.
“Myth: Drug addicts are people with bad character/anti-social personality.Fact: Drug addiction is an illness which can affect anyone. There may be multiple factors responsible and individual’s personality is just one of them.”
In an interview with journalists, a student of Gombe International School, Aisha Bello Mahdi, while narrating a close shade of drug abuse among a distant family member said she felt really sad, adding that the impact of addiction could be herculean.
She said, “Actually what happened was that he was having peer group pressure because of people he was roaming around with as well as school pressure.
“When he started it, it was secret, but later everyone found out when we decided to stop him he ran away from home to be with his friends.
“Sometime later, he had an accident due to overdose of the drug as he was driving and died.”
Speaking on the impact of the pathetic story involving a distant deceased family member, Mahdi added,”Seriously, I was really disappointed in him because I used to see him as a role model, I didn’t expect such from. I was shocked, in trauma for days. To my fellow young people we are young and we have the chance to prevent it and we are expected to prevent it. We are the leaders of tomorrow, we should try our possible best to bring changes.”
