LASG pushes mental health awareness, support

The Lagos State Government last week renewed its push to bring mental health conversations into homes, workplaces and communities, saying emotional well-being must be treated as a public policy priority rather than a private struggle hidden by stigma.

Officials said the state’s growing investment in family support services, counselling and psychosocial interventions reflects a broader recognition that untreated mental health challenges have become intertwined with domestic violence, family instability and declining productivity.

The position was outlined at a Mental Health Awareness Programme organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Ikeja under the theme, “More Good Days Together: Restoring Peace, Reclaiming Joy.”

Representing the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji Dada, the Permanent Secretary, Rianat Onigbanjo, described mental health as an essential pillar of overall well-being, arguing that emotional resilience deserves the same public attention as physical health.

She said the objective of the programme was to normalise conversations around mental health while encouraging residents to seek professional support without fear of discrimination.

“Mental health is a vital component of our overall well-being. True strength is measured not only by physical health but by our ability to live with hope, resilience and emotional balance despite life’s challenges,” she said.

According to her, creating safe spaces where people can discuss emotional struggles openly is critical to addressing the stigma that continues to discourage many from seeking help.

Onigbanjo said the Sanwo-Olu administration’s THEMES+ development agenda places increasing emphasis on people-centred interventions that strengthen families, improve access to healthcare and provide support for vulnerable residents.

She noted that beyond awareness campaigns, the ministry already provides counselling and psychosocial support through its Domestic Violence Unit, while its economic empowerment programmes are also designed to improve emotional well-being by helping women achieve financial independence and personal security.

The permanent secretary linked many emotional and psychological challenges to family environments, citing the ministry’s recent parenting initiative as part of efforts to tackle underlying causes rather than merely respond to crises.

“Many emotional and mental health challenges originate within the home,” she said, urging participants to apply lessons from the programme within their families, workplaces, schools, places of worship and communities.

The programme’s keynote session, facilitated by mental health advocate Damilola Odukoya, examined the often-overlooked realities of trauma, grief, emotional recovery and resilience, while encouraging participants to recognise mental health as part of everyday life rather than an issue confined to clinical settings.

The session also explored practical strategies for self-care, overcoming stigma and building support networks capable of helping individuals navigate emotional distress before it develops into more severe conditions.

Unlike many government sensitisation programmes, participants engaged extensively with the discussions, sharing personal experiences and raising questions about the emotional pressures associated with family life, work and social expectations.

Closing the programme, the Director of the Domestic Violence Unit, Abiola Osifowokan, urged participants to sustain conversations on emotional wellness beyond the event, stressing that stronger communities begin with healthier relationships and homes where people feel safe seeking help.

She called on residents to support relatives, friends and neighbours experiencing emotional difficulties and to encourage professional intervention rather than silence or judgement.

Mental health has increasingly become a focus of public health advocacy in Nigeria, where professionals have long warned that widespread stigma, limited access to specialist care and poor awareness continue to prevent many people from receiving treatment despite growing psychological pressures associated with economic hardship, family conflict and social change.

For Lagos, Monday’s engagement signalled an effort to position mental health not simply as a healthcare issue, but as one linked to family stability, poverty reduction and community resilience—a shift officials believe is essential to improving the overall well-being of residents.