By Jumoke Olaitan
Traditional rulers, persons with psychosocial disabilities, healthcare professionals, government representatives and civil society organisations have called for an end to stigma and discrimination against persons living with psychosocial disabilities.
They made the call on Friday at a community dialogue held at the palace of His Royal Highness, the Esu of Karu, Dr Luka Baba, in Ado, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa.
The dialogue attracted religious leaders, security agencies, organisations of persons with disabilities and community members, including more than 65 women.
The dialogue focused on promoting mental health inclusion and the protection of the rights and dignity of persons with psychosocial disabilities.
The event was organised by Yamban-Kabati African Foundation (YKAF), a community support psychosocial cluster group under the Rights in Action (RiA) Project.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of YKAF, Ms Kabati Ishaya, said changing attitudes toward mental health must begin at the community level.
“Mental health is not simply a health issue; it is a human rights issue.
“Every person deserves to be treated with dignity, respected for who they are, and supported to participate fully in community life,” she said.
Ishaya said the dialogue demonstrated that lasting change could be achieved when communities chose understanding over fear, inclusion over discrimination and action over silence.
She said the dialogue was part of the 12-month Mental Health and Rights in Development (MiRiD) Project, an advocacy and systems-strengthening initiative aimed at promoting awareness, accountability and effective implementation of Nigeria’s Mental Health Act.
She added that the project also sought to reduce stigma, strengthen community support systems and advance the rights and inclusion of persons with psychosocial disabilities.
She, however, reaffirmed the disability rights principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us,” stressing that persons with psychosocial disabilities must remain central to decisions concerning their rights, experiences and welfare.
Ishaya called for stronger investment in mental health services, inclusive data collection and effective implementation of policies protecting persons with psychosocial disabilities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the RiA Project is funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, with technical support from CBM Global Disability Inclusion.
The project is in partnership with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) and the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA).(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi