A professor of Psychiatry, Prof. Taiwo Sheikh, has urged Nigerians to shun all forms of discrimination against people with mental health disorders.
Sheikh, the immediate past President, Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria (APN), gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos Tuesday.
According to him, any stigmatisation against mental health generally, does more harm than good to the patient.
Sheikh, also a lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, said that stigmatisation to mental health could contribute immensely to the poor recognition, neglect and lack of attention given to mental health cases in the country.
He said that stigma against mental illness could lead to feelings of shame, self-consciousness and posed a key barrier to access and utilisation of mental health services by patients, particularly, in low and middle-income countries such as Nigeria.
He also urged people suffering from mental illnesses to desist from self-perceived stigmatisation such as negative attitudes and internalised shame about their condition.
“Unfortunately, negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who have mental health conditions are common in Nigeria.
“Don’t let stigma create self-doubt and shame, don’t isolate yourself or equate yourself with your illness.
“You can join a support group like local and international groups. Always seek help and speak out against stigma.
“Also pay more attention to the symptoms and effects of mental illness than you do to other aspects of yourself,” he said.
The psychiatrist said that the stigma often associated with mental illness could be social stigma or public stigma, which could also lead to institutionalised stigma.
According to him, Institutional stigma is more systemic, involving policies of government and private organisations that intentionally or unintentionally limit opportunities for people with mental illness.
He condemned a situation whereby the majority of the healthcare institutions in the country paid less attention to cases of mental illness.
He said, “Example is the low funding earmarked for mental illness research and fewer mental health services relative to other healthcare services.
“Look around, we have got over 50 government hospitals looking after pregnant women. We have thousands of private hospitals and maternal homes for women and children.
“But, how many mental health facilities are in Lagos State with a population of over 20 million people? They are very few.”
Sheikh said that some of the harmful effects of stigma include the reluctance to seek help or treatment, lack of understanding by family members, friends, co-workers or others.
He listed other harmful effects as: fewer opportunities for work, school or social activities or trouble finding housing, and bullying, physical violence or harassment.
He said that health insurance did not adequately cover the treatment of mental illness.
He also said that the belief that one would never succeed at overcoming certain challenges and that one might not improve one’s situation were other harmful effects of stigmatization.
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