Curitan Foundation

Prof. Sosunmolu Shoyinka Advocates for Community Empowerment at Echoes Africa Initiatives Mental Health Workshop

Abuja, Nigeria – October 19, 2024

The Echoes Africa Initiatives held a pivotal workshop focused on mental health, bringing together medical experts and community leaders to address the pressing mental health challenges facing Nigeria. The event, titled the Echoes Africa Initiatives Mental Health Workshop, aimed to foster dialogue and promote innovative solutions to enhance mental health awareness and support in the country.

During the workshop, leading mental health professionals emphasized the urgent need for Nigeria to adopt innovative approaches to tackle its mental health crises. Prof. Sosunmolu Shoyinka, President of the Association of Nigeria Psychiatrists in the USA and co-founder of the Curitan Foundation, highlighted the critical role that various societal institutions, including religious bodies and educational systems, must play in addressing mental health issues. He urged participants to move away from the tendency to spiritualize mental health challenges and instead confront these issues with openness and understanding.

Copyright AIT/Echoes Africa Initiatives

 

The workshop featured notable speakers, including Victor Omusi, a US-based clergy member; Major George Onyenyeonwu (RTD), a veteran of the United States Air Force; Ejike Asiegbu, Mental Health Ambassador for Echoes Africa; and Theddeus Iheanacho, Director of the Yale University Global Mental Health Promotion Program. Their collective insights underscored the importance of community involvement in mental health advocacy.

A significant focus of the discussions was a call for the Nigerian government to implement robust policies aimed at preventing suicide and improving mental health resources. Participants also urged the creative industry to play a proactive role in raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention through various forms of media.

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