Mr James Lalu, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), says it is ready to partner with ‘She Writes Woman Initiative’ to address psychosocial disability in the country.
Lalu made this known at an annual high level roundtable on Mental Health conditions on psychosocial disability on Tuesday in Abuja.
The roundtable, themed “Mental Health Conditions and psychosocial disability”, was organised by NCPWD, in collaboration with She Writes Woman Initiative.
He said: “I have now realised another form of disability community. Now, we have to take that opportunity to address the lapses.
“We will partner with She Writes Woman Initiative, the Federal Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to make things right.
“In our next phase of employment, we are going to create a special unity to tackle the issue of mental health and also create a budgetary allocation to finance it.
“We want to appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the Disability Act and establishing the NCPWD.
“While we remain committed, we will continue to work with stakeholders to wipe away tears from our people in the disability community,” Lalu said.
Ms Hauwa Ojiefo, the Founder and Executive Director of She Writes Woman Initiative, said it was time for everyone to speak out against stigma and discrimination against persons with mental health challenges.
According to her, people suffering from mental health are experiencing difficulties in life, adding that the society is not helping matters towards them.
Ojiefo narrated how vibrant she was growing and later faced psychosocial challenges, how she was violated and overcame the challenges.
She called for the proper care and acceptability of people with mental health issues.
Similarly, Mr Theophilus Odaudu, from Disability Right Fund, called on the NCPWD and Initiative, to put more pressure and ensure that the Mental Disability Bill is signed into law.
He also suggested that persons with psychosocial disability should always be carried along in the discussion regarding their issues.
Also, Mrs Oluchi Adeazd from the National Human Rights Commission, said no one should be left behind in the discussion of disability.
According to her, psychosocial disability affects all PWDs, adding that all hands must be put on deck to ensure there is progress in addressing the challenges.
Similarly, Dr Tunde Ojo, from the National Mental Health Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health, explained that mental health policies have never been effectively implemented in the country.
“However, we are now in the process of development and implementation of the programme.
“This is because, it is only one out of 10 persons with mental health issues that has access to good and professional treatment and care,“ he said.
High point of the event was a short video about the challenges faced by persons with mental health issues.
“She Writes Woman” is a health-based NGO promoting the dignity and liberty of people with mental health conditions..
It also strives to empower people with lived experience to tell their own stories and co-create their own solutions and advocate for their own rights.
The event attracted stakeholders from the disability community.
(NAN)
