Christopher Ogbu, Abuja
The Yamban-Kabati African Foundation (YKAF) has called on families, religious leaders and community stakeholders to end discrimination against persons experiencing mental health challenges and create supportive environments that encourage them to seek help.
The foundation made the call during a community mental health awareness campaign in Jikwoyi, Abuja, where hundreds of women from the community and neighbouring areas participated in discussions on mental health inclusion and the rights of persons with psychosocial disabilities.
The campaign, organised to commemorate World Mental Health Day, emphasised the need to address misconceptions about mental health, promote early intervention and encourage families to respond to affected persons with understanding rather than rejection.
Speaking at the event, the Founder and Executive Director of YKAF, Kabati Ishaya, said inadequate awareness remained a challenge in many communities, making grassroots education essential to improving understanding of mental health conditions.
She explained that mental health was an integral part of overall well-being but was often neglected, as many people paid greater attention to their physical health while overlooking their psychological needs.
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According to her, mental health challenges can develop gradually and affect an individual’s ability to function effectively at work, in school and within personal relationships.
Ishaya urged residents to pay attention to changes in their emotional well-being, avoid excessive worrying, get adequate rest and seek assistance when faced with problems they could not manage on their own.
She also cautioned against withdrawing from family members, friends and social activities, urging people to seek support when they experienced difficulties that affected their daily lives.
The foundation’s executive director stressed that families and community members had important roles to play in identifying signs of distress and ensuring that people experiencing mental health challenges were not subjected to hostility, discrimination or social exclusion.
She encouraged residents to create safe spaces where individuals could discuss their experiences without fear of being judged, adding that people undergoing treatment should remain hopeful and seek appropriate care.
The campaign brought together women associations from Jikwoyi Phases 1, 2 and 3, Dagbana, Angwa Fulani, Kugbo 1 and 2, Nyanya and Gwagwalape, alongside traditional rulers, religious leaders and other community representatives.
It was organised under the Rights in Action (RiA) Project, funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, with technical support from CBM Global Disability Inclusion, in partnership with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) and the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA).
The Councillor representing Karu Ward in the FCT, Godwin Aminu Yeminya, represented by his personal aide, Comrade Bassey Pater, commended the foundation for bringing mental health education closer to residents.
Yeminya urged participants to apply the lessons from the campaign and sustain conversations that would improve public understanding of mental health issues.
He described the initiative as timely, stressing the importance of continued community engagement in addressing challenges associated with mental health awareness and inclusion.
Other speakers, including the Imam of Jikwoyi Phase 2 Yoruba Mosque, Imam Abdulrazaq Abduraheem; Pastor Odiba Gideon of ECWA Gospel Church, Jikwoyi Phase 3; and the Village Head of Dagbadnape, Chief Gambo Anyidakwo, also called for stronger community support for people experiencing mental health difficulties.
They encouraged residents to confide in trusted relatives and friends when confronted with personal challenges, while urging families to offer emotional support to loved ones going through difficult periods.
The religious and traditional leaders further emphasised the importance of recognising health concerns early and seeking appropriate assistance, noting that timely intervention could improve treatment outcomes.
They also urged community members to look out for their neighbours and avoid words or actions that could deepen the isolation of persons with psychosocial disabilities.
With the theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” the campaign highlighted the importance of listening to people with direct experience of mental health conditions and involving them in decisions and initiatives that affect their lives.
The organisers said building inclusive communities required collective responsibility, increased awareness and respect for the dignity and rights of people experiencing mental health challenges.
