Expert advocates integration of mental health services to check domestic violence
By Amina Ahmed
Dr Fawaz Babandi, a Consultant Psychiatrist, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital Bauchi (ATBTH-TH), has advocated integration of mental health services in hospitals to check spate of domestic violence.
Babandi stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi.
He attributed the spate of alleged killings among family members in the state to subtle mental health issues.
The psychiatrist said that such individuals had a presence of mental illness that triggered violent attacks on family members and friends.
He listed the symptoms to include poor sleeping habits, body heat, loss of interest in interaction and prolonged headache, adding that the symptoms, if not attended, could manifest in violent attacks.
“We want the government to prioritise mental health by integrating it into all levels of health care.
“Mental health has been neglected for long which affects the violence we are witnessing currently in the society.
“Primary healthcare level is closest to the people but there are no mental health services there, health workers themselves are not trained to identify and treat mental health issues which is a major challenge,” he said.
He said the psychiatric department offered treatment to patients with depression, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and substance abuse.
Babandi stressed the need for sensitisation activities to create awareness towards promoting mental wellbeing.
“Such individual should seek help because signs are there but it will only be realised when the person has committed an offense then they will recall some abnormal behaviours he exhibited.”
He also identified stigma as one of the causes of mental health issues, adding that, “mental health is everyone’s business because it might affect anyone at any time.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali
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