Two humanitarian groups, Walk347 and NAS Magna Carta have recommended ways to halt harmful mental health practices in Nigeria.
Several harmful mental practices such as chaining, flogging, and confinement are rife in rural Nigerian communities.
However, Walk347 and NAS Magna Carta, as part of their BanStopPrevent Mental Health Advocacy Project, have offered new recommendations to reshape mental health care in Nigeria through research, advocacy, and policy interventions.
The recommendations were contained in the report of the study: Eradicating Harmful Practices in Mental Health Care Changing Attitudes and Engaging Healers presented simultaneously at Learning Hall 017, Northampton University, UK, and Abia Skills Development Centre, Umuahia, Nigeria.
The pilot study, which involved 302 participants, including community leaders, traditional and spiritual healers, and mental health patients from three rural communities: Apumiri, Mgbarakuma, and Nsukwe in Umuahia South Local Government Area, offered advocacy and policy intervention recommendations.
On the advocacy recommendation, the groups want an integrated approach involving education and training on modern mental health practices, collaboration with healthcare professionals, and community awareness campaigns.
The study insisted that these interventions are critical for changing the attitudes of traditional and spiritual healers and encouraging the adoption of safer, evidence-based practices.
It also noted that there is a need to overcome the barriers to modern treatment by addressing treatment costs, stigma, and a lack of education which are essential for improving care accessibility.
For policy recommendations, the study proposed subsidising treatment costs to increase access to mental health care and make costs affordable.
It also recommended anti-stigma campaigns targeted to raise awareness about mental health to reduce stigma and ensure more people overcome the fear to seek help.
The study also implored policymakers to expand community mental health services which would provide people in the rural areas alternative to traditional methods.
In their remarks, the Capoon of Magna Carta and Chair of Walk347, Chukwudi Nwigwe said the ‘’project is a critical step toward reshaping perceptions and practices in mental health care’’
According to him ‘’by engaging community healers and leaders, we are building a foundation for long-term, sustainable change.”
Chukwudi Onwudinanti, Head of Projects, Walk347 and Second Mate, NAS Magna Carta pointed out that “our goal is to advocate for safer and evidence-based mental health practices while respecting the cultural context. The findings provide us with the data needed to drive these changes.”
Hon Emeka Obioma, Chief Whip of Abia State House of Assembly declares support for the project, stressing that he would work with his colleagues to enact laws that would protect the rights of individuals with mental health conditions.
