A DISTURBING signal is flashing from the health sector. With the hard facts dished by medical experts on rising cases of mentally-ill people at this year's World Mental Health Day, a more worrisome picture could not have been cut about the mounting socio-economic challenges citizens face. Marginal as available data may appear in relation to the estimated country population of 150 million, Nigeria's human resource base may be threatened, in the absence of any conscious effort to positively address the challenges.The alarming signal from a recent forum indicated that the mental health care sector is in distress because the country is short of needed manpower (psychiatrists and nurses) to cope with rising psychotic cases (only 0.9 per cent of psychiatrists are available per 100,000 patients). More worrisome is the failure of the federal and state governments to adequately fund mental health services, as only two per cent of the yearly health budget goes into that sector, according to Joseph Dada Adeyemi, a professor of psychiatry who spoke at an event marking the day.According to him, mental health constitutes 30 per cent of global burden of diseases and should be taken seriously, warning that mentally-ill people are vulnerable to human rights violation, stigma and discrimination. Government should be more interested in the disclosure that 'poverty fuels mental health disorders because the poor are prone to violence, drug abuse, suicide, alcohol, cocaine and they spend more money on their treatment.'Adeyemi said 'a country survey supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that 76.3 to 85.4 per cent of Nigerians with mental disorders do not get treatment,' that is, almost four out of five mentally ill persons'. Nigeria is among countries that have under-invested in the sector.About the same time, Dr. Adegboyega Ogunlesi, Provost of Neuro-Psychiatry Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta (a WHO-designated centre of excellence) reportedly warned at another forum that cases of mentally ill drivers, especially commercial drivers, are on the rise, and that the development called for concern. The authorities should take this revelation seriously before the nation loses out to carnages on the roads.Outgoing Medical Director of Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City, Mrs. Olabisi Ihenyen in a very recent interview was succinct, bringing the problem down to 'more stress and more unemployment'we are turning out graduates, a majority of whom do not have jobs.' Frustration fills the void, no doubt. 'The morale of these people may fall, which may lead to depression and other psychiatric illnesses (and mental breakdown).'She says that in Uselu, 'there has been a rise in bed occupancy', indicating that the hospital would have to discharge, perhaps prematurely, patients that have improved so that it could admit others with severe disorders. Besides, the upward swing in out-patients in mental care home from about eight to 30 patients a day, excluding the in-patients, is a danger signal on the country's socio-economic environment and a call for urgent remedial action.The development, in a way, is a commentary on the political leadership at every level (of government) which stands accused of promoting psychosis among the people by the governance style that is anything but people friendly. Certainly, the situation in the country drives people round the bend, without any hope in the horizon despite official claims to the contrary. Unfulfilled promises by leaders only occasion more despair among citizens.Official despondency to provide funds and modern working equipment has, over the years, forced many brilliant and talented Nigerians out to other lands where they find more fulfillment. Incidentally, it has been argued, rightly in our view, that unrestrained looting of public treasuries is another form of mental illness. Suggestions in the past that prospective political office holders should undergo mental examination before being entrusted with public offices are therefore not unreasonable.The collateral damages of a depressed citizenry are legion. For instance, drivers' licences are hitherto illegitimately acquired by people otherwise unqualified. Many media reports are also about issues arising from depression.To some extent, the solution to the increasing incidence of mental distress in the society has been cut out for officials in the challenges identified by the experts. Essentially, government must broaden the capacity to deal with situations that drive people to lose their minds especially by improving the social conditions and creating employment opportunities.Parents also have a duty to keep the family unit together and to train their children and wards to stay clear of bad peer influences. Government should initiate and sustain people-friendly policies, to help parents live with saner minds with which to raise their young ones; and thereby prevent the making of too many people who are mentally ill.
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