Kano mental health committee says it will commence advocacy visits, across 16 local government areas to sensitize the general public about the dangers of substance abuse, gender based violence and mental disorder.
The Special Adviser to Kano state Governor on Health Matters, Dr. Fauziyya Buba Idris, made the disclosure during the 3rd session of mental health round table discussion with women groups, held in Kano.
Dr. Fauziyya who is also the chairperson Kano state mental health action committee, and head of female anti drug ambassadors committee, said the meeting was organized to profer lasting solution to the deadly menace prevalent in the society.
She described mental disorder as one of the neglected part of health related issues, as most people do not regard it and often stigmatized those affected.
The special adviser pointed out that the mental health committee had engaged relevant stakeholders including guidance and counseling mentors, traditional leaders, government officials and women groups to map out means of mitigating mental disorder, drug abuse and gender based violence.
Dr. Fauziyya said the state government had adopted recommendations from the 1st and 2nd round table discussion, which had yielded positive results.
“The state government has done a lot in terms of the recommendations. All relevant stakeholders and the government discussed and came up with series of activities”.
In her remarks, United Nations children’s fund (UNICEF), child protection specialist, Hajiya Fatima Adamu, called for inclusion of men in the round table discussions adding that men have a vital role to play in mitigating societal problems.
She said UNICEF child protection unit had provided services to street children, trained trainees and supported WARAKA sexual referrer center.
Hajiya Fatima called for establishment of more sexual referrer centers across the 44 local government areas to accommodate the state’s large population.
Some of the participants who spoke to Radio Nigeria, Barrister Maimuna Sharif, Hussaina Ahmed Umar and Khadijah Idris Sulaiman decried over rising cases of rape.
They maintained that gender based violence leads to depression, drug abuse and mental disorder.
The round table discussion themed: mental health as a priority “let’s break the silence” attracted journalists, lawyers, civil society organizations, development partners and other relevant women groups.
KHADIJAH ALIYU