DSS JOINS THE MOVE TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH

Depression, Substance Abuse, anxiety and mood disorders have been described as the major causes of mental health challenges in the country.

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State made this known when he declared open the DSS 2019 Medical Summit at Dora Akuyili Women’s Development Centre Awka.

Governor Obiano while expatiating on the theme of the summit, “Burden of mental health: Impact on Wellness and Productivity,” urged the youth to desist from taking drugs, which was one of the leading causes of mental health problems in the society.

The Governor maintained that his administration through CAFE had treated and taken off the street over three hundred mental health challenged people.

He said that the summit would serve as an eye opener to the public on causes of mental health challenges.

In an address of welcome, the Director General of the Department of State Security (DSS), Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi, represented by the Director Medical, Dr. Anna Okoroafor, said that they chose the topic because of the recent rising cases of suicide, murder and threats to internal security in the country.

He however stressed the need to standardise medical work in the DSS health facilities and entrenchment of best practices in all its forty-two health centres.

Mr. Magaji Bichi, who commended the state government for giant strides recorded in the health sector, enjoined the people of the state to come out enmasse for the free medical treatment that would be rendered to them at Ogbunike in Oyi Local Government Area.

Some of the participants interviewed appealed to both the state and federal governments to upgrade and equip all the psychiatrist hospitals in the country.

Top government officials, traditional rulers and representatives of all the security agencies in state attended the summit.

ONYINYE CHIJIOBI