By Emmanuel Ifeanyichukwu Uke


*Abstract


This paper addresses the urgent need to prioritize mental health and general wellness in Abia state, Nigeria, to improve overall wellbeing, safety, and socio-economic growth. Mental health disorders are prevalent in every society, and Abia state is no exception. However, lack of awareness, inadequate funding, and stigmatization have created barriers to access to mental health services. Eradicating sudden deaths resulting from heart attacks, creating awareness of better blood pressure management and general healthcare, and improving general health screening for early detection of diabetes, gynecological problems, high PSA, and other debilitating conditions are essential for the overall wellbeing of Abia people. This paper proposes proactive measures, including increased funding for mental health services, creating awareness, reducing stigma, prioritizing general health screening programs, and collaborations with healthcare providers, NGOs, and mental health professionals. The government's commitment to prioritizing mental health and general wellness will undoubtedly lead to improved public safety, socio-economic growth, and overall wellbeing in Abia state.


Dr Emmanuel Ifeanyichukwu Uke 


*Introduction


Mental health is an integral part of overall health, which has been overlooked for many years. Mental health disorders are prevalent in every society, and Abia state is no exception. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in four people globally will be affected by mental health disorders at some point in their lives. . It is also a common knowledge that mental illness is not only a personal problem but also a public health concern that has significant implications for the socio-economic development of any nation. Mental illness contributes to a substantial portion of the global disease burden, and its impact is felt across different age groups, genders, and socio-economic status. However, in Abia state, the lack of awareness, inadequate funding, and stigmatization have created barriers to access to mental health services. As such, it is crucial to prioritize mental health in Abia state for improved wellbeing, public safety, and socio-economic growth.


Furthermore, In Abia state, the challenges of mental health and general health have not received adequate attention from the government, leading to a lack of resources, funding, and attention needed to address these critical issues. Therefore, this paper aims to highlight the importance of prioritizing mental health and general health matters in Abia state and its potential impact on the overall wellbeing, public safety, and socio-economic growth of the state.


*Mental Health Matters

 importance of prioritizing mental health in Abia state cannot be overemphasized. Mental illness is a significant contributor to the global disease burden, and it affects people of all ages and backgrounds. In Nigeria, the prevalence of mental illness is estimated to be between 15-20%, and Abia state is not exempted from this trend. Common mental disorders in Abia state include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance abuse disorders.


Furthermore, the impact of mental illness on individuals, families, and the society at large is significant. Mental illness can lead to disability, loss of productivity, and an increased risk of suicidal ideation or even suicide. The social and economic cost of mental illness is also substantial, including the cost of healthcare, loss of income, and reduced quality of life.


Therefore, prioritizing mental health in Abia state can have significant benefits, including improved wellbeing, reduced healthcare costs, and increased productivity.

To address mental health challenges in Abia state, the government can take several actions, including the following:


1. Increase funding for mental health services: Adequate funding is critical for the provision of mental health services. The government can increase funding for mental health services by allocating a percentage of the state's budget to mental health.


2. Improve access to mental health services: There is a need to improve access to mental health services in Abia state. The government can achieve this by expanding the coverage of mental health services, providing training for mental health professionals, and creating and strengthening the referral system for mental health services across the state.


3. Raise awareness about mental health: There is a need to raise awareness about mental health in Abia state. The government can achieve this by launching public health campaigns aimed at increasing awareness about mental health, reducing the stigma associated with mental illness, and encouraging people to seek help when needed.


The government can reduce stigma through advocacy programs and education. Stigma is a significant barrier to access to mental health services, and addressing stigma is critical to improving access to mental health care. 

The government can also prioritize the training of mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. Mental health professionals are critical to the delivery of quality mental health services.


The government can collaborate with healthcare providers, NGOs, and mental health professionals to provide comprehensive mental health services. The government can also create awareness through media campaigns, community health programs, and collaborations with schools, religious institutions, and other community groups.


*General Health Matters

In addition to mental health, general health matters are also critical to the overall wellbeing of Abia state. Eradicating sudden deaths resulting from heart attacks by creating awareness of better blood pressure management and general health care is a vital aspect of general health matters. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in Nigeria, and Abia state is no exception. High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for heart disease, and its ma Octnagement is essential to prevent sudden deaths, and should be a key priority for the government.


 High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart attacks, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. The government can take several actions to address this issue, including:


1. Increase access to healthcare: There is a need to increase access to healthcare in Abia state. The government can achieve this by investing in building, equipping and improving healthcare infrastructure, expanding the coverage of healthcare services across the state, and providing training for healthcare professionals.


Raise awareness about the importance of blood pressure management: There is a need to raise awareness about the importance of blood pressure management in Abia state. The government can achieve this by launching public health campaigns aimed at increasing awareness about the risks of high blood pressure and the benefits of blood pressure management.


More so, early detection of diseases is critical to their prevention and management. Improving general health screening for early detection of diabetes, its prevention and management, female gynecological problems, high PSA, and other debilitating conditions is essential for the overall wellbeing of Abia people. High PSA levels could indicate prostate cancer, which is the most common cancer among Nigerian men, and routine prostrate screening for men 40 years or older is critical to early detection and care management. Early detection and treatment can improve the chances of survival.  Diabetes is another prevalent health condition in Nigeria, and early detection is critical to prevent complications such as blindness, kidney failure, and amputations. Also, gynecological problems such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and many more affect many women in Nigeria, and early detection and treatment can prevent complications and improve reproductive health. Therefore, the government can prioritize general health screening programs to improve early detection and treatment of these conditions.


The government can also improve general health screening by providing free health screenings for diabetes, PSA, hypertension, and female gynecological problems. Finally, the government can create awareness through media campaigns, community health programs, and collaborations with healthcare providers. The government can also create an incentive package for clinicians to entice them to be competently trained to adopt evidence base practices for the overall enhancement of Abia State healthcare system and patient treatment outcome.


*Conclusion

In conclusion, prioritizing mental health in Abia state is essential for improved wellbeing, public safety, and socio-economic growth. The government can increase funding for mental health services, create awareness, and reduce stigma. The government can also prioritize general health screening programs to improve early detection and treatment of conditions such as diabetes, gynecological problems, and prostate cancer. Eradicating sudden deaths resulting from heart attacks by creating awareness of better blood pressure management and general healthcare is also essential. Collaborations with healthcare providers, NGOs, and mental health professionals are critical to the delivery of comprehensive mental health services. Therefore, the government can take proactive measures to prioritize mental health and general health matters for the overall wellbeing of Abia people.


Dr Uke is a United States-based Clinical psychologist, with emphasis in Childhood and Adolescence Disorder; Mental Health and Addiction, Clinical Dependency and Substance Abuse. He is also a certified Wellness Master.