By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
A Senior Registrar in Psychiatry at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, Dr. Yakub Fauwaz Farouq, has urged Nigerians to end the stigmatisation of persons living with mental health conditions, stressing that mental illnesses are treatable and patients deserve care, dignity and protection.
Farouq, who spoke during an event organised by PLAN International and the Bauchi State Government, with funding from Global Affairs Canada, to mark World Mental Health Day, condemned the use of derogatory terms such as “mad” to describe people experiencing mental health challenges.
He explained that conditions such as depression and anxiety are common medical disorders that require timely professional attention, empathy and adequate financial support rather than discrimination and social exclusion.
The psychiatrist warned that neglecting mental health conditions could worsen patients’ situations and lead to more severe complications, including psychosis.
According to him, although some cases of depression and anxiety may improve or resolve over time, appropriate support and professional care remain essential to recovery and the prevention of further complications.
He urged families and communities to create supportive environments for people experiencing mental health challenges and ensure they receive professional psychiatric care instead of abandoning them to stigma and discrimination.
Farouq also called for the full implementation of the National Mental Health Policy 2023, which provides a framework for improving mental healthcare delivery, protecting patients’ rights and promoting access to affordable treatment.
He noted that effective enforcement of the policy and relevant legal provisions, including penalties for violations of patients’ rights, would help protect vulnerable persons and strengthen mental healthcare services across the country.
The psychiatrist, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Sa’a Specialist Clinic, emphasised that safeguarding the rights and dignity of people living with mental health conditions was critical to improving their access to treatment and supporting their recovery.
He called on Nigerians to replace prejudice with understanding and ensure that people experiencing mental health challenges receive the care and respect they deserve.
