Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina; Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye; former beauty queen, Tony Preye, were among dignitaries who recently identified with the initiative of Mental Health Empowerment Initiative (MHEI), a non-governmental organisation based in Abuja.

Speaking at a symposium on ‘Mental Health in Workplace’ organised by the NGO at Sheraton Hotel, Adesina noted in his opening remarks that the Presidency, as part of its mission to create a mentally-balanced society, supports the initiative. “This is also why I have come to represent the President here,” Adesina added.

Senator Melaye pointed out that “this is a Non-Governmental Organization that the government needs to pay attention to because mental health is a major issue in our society and everyone needs it.”

“Many are going through mental problems without knowing and that is why they cannot deliver effectively in their various assignments, even in government offices.”

Melaye lamented that mental health was one of the major areas that has never been giving attention in our society “as we have forgotten that no health without mental health.”

The lawmaker maintained that he was happy to have been called for such an event that tends to benefit us as individuals and a nation as a whole.

He expressed unhappiness about Nigerians who don’t turn up for an event like this, saying that “a seminar like this is worth the participation of every one.”

Concluding, He opined that it was about time Nigerian government and all citizens supported the move of promoting mental health for benefit of all as it would definitely go a long way to help and as well guarantee the future of the nation.

Also speaking at the event, Dr. Mrs. Memuna while pointing out that health is wealth, argued that health without mental health is zero.

Citing an example, Memuna explained that “any man or woman who is just the only one that almost all the family members depend on to survive could tend to have mental imbalance because a lot would be going on through his mind from time to time,” she added that such persons, at times, may have problem to deliver effectively in his or her various assignments.

She emphasised further that many are sick in their minds and there’s no two way about it, confirming that all they need is mental health because more of mental issues come from fear and anxiety.