Davidson Ogbebor

A mental health expert, Dr. Okonkwo Bartholomew, has stressed the need for increased mental health awareness, describing it as a critical factor in enhancing productivity, workforce efficiency and national economic growth.

Bartholomew, a Senior Registrar at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH), Benin City, made the assertion while delivering a keynote lecture titled “Knowing Your Mental Health Status: A Pre-requisite for a Robust and Productive Economy” at a one-day mental health awareness programme held in Benin City, Edo State.

The programme was organised by the Federated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, in collaboration with the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, and featured a mental health awareness campaign and free screening for commercial drivers.

According to the mental health specialist, regular mental health screening, early diagnosis and prompt intervention are essential to tackling psychological disorders that often reduce workplace productivity and impede economic development.

He also called for sustained public enlightenment to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness, noting that awareness of one’s mental health status is fundamental to building a resilient, healthy and productive workforce.

In her welcome address, Chairman of the Federated Chapel, Mercy Onyenweli, described mental health as a vital pillar of national development. She observed that journalists, commercial drivers, civil servants and students are increasingly exposed to psychological pressures, underscoring the need for structured mental health support systems.

Onyenweli announced that the outreach programme would become an annual initiative of the chapel to promote mental health awareness and provide free screening for commercial drivers.

Chairman of the NUJ, Edo State Council, Festus Alenkhe, commended the Federated Chapel for the initiative, describing it as a practical intervention in addressing a major public health concern.

Alenkhe, who is also the Acting Managing Director of the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS), urged other NUJ chapels to initiate programmes that address societal challenges, stressing that journalists should go beyond reporting events by championing interventions that improve the lives of citizens.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Transportation, Barr. (Dr.) Samson Erhaze, described the collaboration between the media and healthcare professionals as timely and strategic, noting that mental wellness is closely linked to transportation safety, workplace productivity and sustainable development.

The absence of the Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, was observed at the event, with no representative of the ministry present to brief participants on ongoing health sector reforms in the state.

Participants at the programme called for stronger collaboration among the media, healthcare institutions and government agencies to sustain mental health awareness campaigns and integrate mental health into public policy and community development initiatives across the country.