World Mental Health Day 2023 is an opportunity for people and communities to unite behind the theme ‘Mental Health is a Universal Human Right’ to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right.

Every year, the event provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

Gede Foundation joined the global mental health community to lend its voice in 2 different activities within the period.

Firstly, on the 10th October, 2023, the Foundation participated in a Ministerial Press Conference with the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja. At the meeting, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate stressed the importance of collaborative efforts involving the government, healthcare professionals, NGOs and communities to effectively address mental health issues in Nigeria. Stakeholders including WHO, NCDC Africa, CBM, TLMN, Clinton Foundation, NPHCDA, Mental Health Advocates, NGOs and people with psychological disabilities participated in the conference.

Goodwill messages and commitments from government and implementing partners centred on the basic human rights for people with mental health conditions including the right to be protected from mental health risks, the right to available, accessible, acceptable, and good quality care, and the right to liberty, independence and inclusion in the community.

Secondly, Gede Foundation organised an awareness campaign on mental health in Government Secondary School, Agasha in Benue State. The event reached over 350 people including students and teachers, with information on stress, drug and substance abuse, depression, adolescent mental health, prevention and access to mental health services. Participants gained knowledge on mental health, mental illnesses, signs and symptoms and referral pathways for treatment and care for those in need.

With an increasing number of persons with mental health conditions globally and in Nigeria, it is expected that these events will help to promote and sustain respect to human rights, inclusiveness and access to quality mental health care.

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