The Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation has advocated prioritising mental health especially among youths for self-reliance and sound judgement. The co-Founder of the Foundation, Coach Uzoamaka Nwachukwu, made the call on Tuesday in Enugu while speaking during a Youths Stakeholders Virtual Free Engagement on Mental Health and Wellness.
Nwachukwu, who is a child psychologist and mental therapy coach, noted there was an increasing need for everyone to take responsibility by prioritising their mental health in the face of numerous challenges of life. She said that the foundation was in the forefront of deepening consciousness on the importance of mental health.
“We are also creating awareness on triggers to negative emotions, anxiety, disorders and addictions as well as their negative consequences on persons, families and to the society at large,” she said.
According to her, everyone needs mental health awareness and interventions to cope and live for self-actualisation. The expert observed that people are more aware of physical health than mental health because physical health is what people can easily see and feel whereas mental health revolves around mindsets and emotions, but it actually controls the physical health.
She also advocated for strong policies to promote a framework for mental health awareness in order to bring the knowledge and awareness closer to people (for self-awareness).
Nwachukwu noted that the foundation had also started free counselling engagement for widows, widowers, bereaved persons, elderly persons of above 65 years as well as sports men and women.
“We also give free antenatal and post antenatal counselling, free counselling for the physically challenged and visually impaired persons among others.
“The foundation carries out some of these activities in conjunction with Rangers international FC Foundation and Carmelite Prisoners’ Interest Organisation (CAPIO) and other partners,” she said.
Speaking, the Chairman of Rangers International FC Foundation, Coach Ebere Amaraizu, maintained that every organisation and individual ought to prioritise mental health awareness and education through the institutionalisation of counselling departments.
“These departments or units should have trained and certified mental health life coaches, therapists and psychologists to deal with individuals in order to enhance their cognitive, emotional, intellectual and social capabilities for optimum performance,” Amaraizu said.
Responding, one of the participants, Mr Nonso Akadike, lauded the organisers of the event for using their various knowledge and experiences to drive home the need for youths to shun hard drugs and find time to have sleep after each activity-filled day.
