Health
MR Ndubuisi Agabus, the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Keffi Area Commander, has called for the integration of Mental Health Counsellors in workplaces to counsel workers on mental health issues.
Agabus made the call at a 2024 World Mental Health Day event held at Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa state on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, organised by Ruth Forth Ltd., a Nigerian company, had the theme of the 2024 World Mental Health Day – “It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace”.
Annually, Oct. 10 is designated as World Mental Health Day to raise awareness on mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.
According to Agabus, mental health challenges are increasing in the workplace due to lack of counsellors in some organisations to help address the challenges and pressures workers face, and which adversely affect their mental health.
He said workers faced multiple challenges and pressures, not just at the workplace but also in their homes, which affect their mental health, productivity at work and sometimes lead to substance abuse.
“In workplaces, there is need for every organisation to have a counsellor because workers often face several challenges including family, economic and work related challenges.
“So, how do you cope with those challenges which affect your mental health and not resort to drug or substance abuse? It is the work of the counsellor to bring you back on track.
“It is the work of the counsellor to guide you, so you don’t rely on substance abuse as a way out because it is not. So the theme of this year’s world mental health day is very apt,” he said.
He added that the services of counsellors were not just restricted to workplaces but also very much required in even communities, to help guide people especially the youths, to overcome their challenges without relying on drug abuse.
“It is time we promote the work of the counsellor and by the time we do that,most of the mental issues or problems today will not be there again,” he said.
Mr John Simon, Managing Director, Ruth Forth Ltd., said that multiple crises existed at the workplace including overburden, pressure, dissatisfaction over work-related policies among others, which can lead to mental health crisis for workers.
“All these issues cause extra stress and open the door for mental health challenges. So, it’s a big issue in Nigeria,” he said.
He also commended the theme for 2024 World Mental Health Day celebration and called on employers to take it as a matter of urgency to prioritise employees mental health and their own mental health.
“We are aware that a lot of people take drugs to enhance performance in the workplace and that is contrary to what is expected of a worker.
“The reason for this, is due to overburden of work on the employee or worker. When work is too much, the worker may feel that drugs are the way out, which is not true. At the end of the day, it affects their mental health,” he said.
He said that more sensitisation, in collaboration with NDLEA, would go a long way in helping workers imbibe healthy practices in line with the ethics of work.
Simon described Ruth Forth Ltd. as a Nigerian-based company that offered human resource services, consulting for businesses and psychological services. (NAN) (
11th October, 2024.
C.E.
Tags: Ndubuisi Agabus
