Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
Nigerian Association of Clinical Psychologists (NACP) has called on the federal government to increase the budgetary allocation to the health and its mental sub-sector.
It also lamented the increased cases of addictive behaviour occasioned by abuse of substances in the country.
National President of the association, Professor Gboyega Abikoye made the call at their 2023 National Conference/Annual General Meeting held at the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Speaking to newsmen at the event on the theme: “The Practice of Clinical Psychology: Confronting the Emerging Threat of Addictive Behaviour and Mental Problem” Abikoye, a professor of Clinical Psychology, advised Nigerians to avoid illegal drugs and substance, saying treatment of mental problems wasexpensive in the country.
According to him, “Government should also pay more attention to the mental health issues.
In Nigeria, the health sector has been receiving a disproportionately and low budgetary allocation relative to other ministries and within the health sector itself, the mental health sub-sector had been receiving less than six per cent of the total budget allocated to the ministry of health and that is rather too poor.
“According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) the allocation should not be less that 20 per cent but consistently over the years, it has been less than sixper cent. What the federal government should do is to increase the allocation to the health sector and to the mental health sub-sector in particular and make treatment of patients more affordable.”
On why the theme was chosen for this year’s conference, he said, “We have observed in recent times that menace of substance abuse especially about addictive behaviour that covers so many areas like pathological gambling, drug use and several others. We noticed that this is on the rise in Nigeria and globally too and it appears to be defying all solutions.
“Everyday we read about National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, arresting people, seizing illegal drugs, yet the menace is on the rise. Unfortunately, many people don’t know the link between addictive behaviour and mental health. They are very closely interrelated, infact one hardly goes alone.
“Addictive behaviour most times leads to serious member health challenges and so this is the reason we decided that this year’s theme should focus on this twin threat of addictive behaviour and mental health. And unfortunately in Nigeria, these are issues that are not receiving enough attention.”
The Vice Chancellor of EKSU, Prof. Edward Olanipekun who was represented by deputy Vice Chancellor (Development) Prof. Ayan Adeleke welcomed all participants to the institution and the state expressed confidence that the recommendations of the conference will go a long way in addressing the challenge of addictive behaviour and mental health issues in our country.
He urged the stakeholders to implement the recommendation of the conference saying “if 50 per cent of all conferences recommendations to the policy makers are being implemented the country will be as it is today.”
