Family breakdown is a huge cause of mental health disorder- Sanwo-Olu

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state has attributed the increase in mental health cases to the breakdown of the family system.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Mr Obafemi Hamzat, said this at the Lagos Mental Health Conference held on Tuesday.

Sanwo-Olu said families have major roles to play in order to curb substance abuse that had placed a negative impact on the citizens.

He said, “The menace of substance abuse is on the rise and will likely become a national epidemic if we fail to address it. Many of us have either heard of or personally know people who have lost their lives to suicide. This has a huge burden on our society.

“If we say that health is not just the absence of disease but the state of complete physical, social and mental wellbeing of a person, it means there is no health without mental health. The reduction of stigma against people living with mental health disorders is priorities within the state development agenda for health which is to ensure that every citizen has access to effective and sustainable health delivery.

“It is best, as a society to understand that the biggest challenge is family breakdown. Substance abuse is linked to how we raise our children and wards these days. As parents and families, we must take care of our kids; we must know what they are doing and understand the things they focus on in schools and other places they visit. The family breakdown has a huge impact on mental disorders anywhere in the world. It is important for us as families to take care of our homes.”

He stated the steps the government has taken to effectively tackle depression, substance abuse and stress caused by Lagos being a megacity.

“We have set the ground rolling for the development of sustainable mental healthcare programs and services that will ensure a good health outcome in a long time. This will enable the state to become one of the forerunners in the delivery of sustainable, efficient and effective mental health services to the citizens in Lagos and other parts of our country because of the migration input into Lagos.

“We are working with sectors, private, non-governmental organisations and many others to create a strong network of operations, facilities and programs that will address some of these challenges. As part of that strategy, we have integrated mental health care into the general hospitals and primary healthcare centres,” Sanwo-Olu said.