Vanguard holds Mental Health Summit 3.0 to tackle rising cases of suicide, others

By Chioma Obinna

In a continued effort to rise consciousness astir intelligence wellness and code the alarming emergence successful termination cases crossed Nigeria, Vanguard Newspapers is acceptable to big the 3rd variation of its Mental Health Summit.

The Mental Health Summit, archetypal launched successful August 2021, was wide acknowledged arsenic the archetypal of its benignant successful Nigeria. This year’s edition, scheduled for October 17, 2025, volition instrumentality spot astatine the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Themed “Taming the Rising Tide of Suicide successful Nigeria”, with a sub-theme “Substance and Silence: Unmasking the Dual Crisis of Addiction and Suicide,” the acme aims to deepen nationalist conversations astir termination prevention and advocator for the decriminalisation of attempted suicide.

The lawsuit is endorsed by the Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria (APN) and different cardinal stakeholders. It supports the Suicide Prevention Bill, which seeks to region transgression penalties for individuals who effort suicide—a important displacement successful Nigeria’s outdated ineligible model connected intelligence health.

Renowned cardiologist and Executive Director of the Nigeria Heart Foundation (NHF), Dr. Kingsley Akinroye, volition seat the summit.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, is expected arsenic the Special Guest of Honour. Delivering the keynote code volition beryllium Professor Taiwo Lateef Sheikh, a Professor of Psychiatry and Continental Representative of Lifeline International.

Distinguished speakers and panelists volition see Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), who volition talk connected the sub-theme “Substance and Silence: Unmasking the Dual Crisis of Addiction and Suicide.”

Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), volition present a peculiar presumption connected “Building Trust: How Strong Regulation Improves Access to Mental Health Treatment.”

To item the value of legislative enactment for intelligence health, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South Senatorial District, volition talk connected the value of the Suicide Prevention Bill, describing it arsenic a “lifeline legislation” that could prevention countless lives.

The Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye, volition stock insights from his acquisition successful managing termination attempts successful a presumption titled “Managing Attempted Suicide: Lessons from Yaba Neuropsychiatric Hospital.” Additionally, Ms. Titi Tade, Director and Head of Medical Social Services astatine the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), volition talk connected the taxable “How Are You?”

The Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, volition talk connected however the authorities is engaging younker successful intelligence wellness initiatives. Meanwhile, Professor Taiwo Obindo, President of APN, volition code “Strengthening Nigeria’s Mental Health Act: From Policy to Implementation.”

Other notable speakers see Dr. Agatha Nkiru David, Director of Research and Consultant Paediatrician astatine the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), who volition sermon “Living Positively: Mental Health arsenic a Key to HIV Treatment Adherence and Quality of Life.”

 Also, Ms. Deborah Omage, Program Associate astatine the Nigeria Mental Health Association, volition analyse “Mental Health successful the Face of Economic Hardship, Insecurity and Climate Change.”

The sheet league volition beryllium anchored by Dr. Veronica Nyamali. Among the panelists is Mr. Sam Eferaro, steadfast of Nigeria Health Online and erstwhile Health Editor astatine Vanguard.

Representatives from the Nigerian Medical Association, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, and Lagos State Ministry of Health are besides expected to attend.

In a poignant conception of the event, survivors of intelligence wellness challenges volition stock their stories, offering anticipation and shedding airy connected lived experiences.

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