Trauma Awareness and Resilience (TAR) Initiative has called on government to create an enabling environment and provide proper funding for those in the mental health.
The National Coordinator, Mr Francis Onyekwue, said this on Saturday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Abuja to commemorate the World Suicide Prevention Day.
NAN reports that World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on Sept.10 each year to promote worldwide action to prevent suicides.
The theme 2022 : “Creating hope through action,” reflects the need for collective action to address the urgent public health issue.
”All of us- family members, friends, co-workers, community members, educators, religious leaders, healthcare professionals, political officials and governments- can take action to prevent suicide,” he said.
Onyekwu also called on corporate bodies in the country to take the awareness campaign as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility,(CSR).
“The overall goal of this day is to raise awareness about suicide prevention worldwide.
” Other objectives include promoting stakeholder collaboration and self-empowerment to address self-harm and suicide through preventative action.
“These can be achieved through capacity building of healthcare providers and other relevant actors, positive and informative messaging aimed at the general population,” he said.
Onyekwue said those contemplating or affected by suicide were also encouraged to share their stories and seek professional help.
He said, ”with the theme, it means all hands must be on deck in raising awareness about suicide.
”We at TAR Initiative, an NGO, is calling on all well meaning people of Nigeria to rise up to the challenge and be our brother’s keeper.
”Most importantly, make out time for one another, listen to them rather than hearing them.
”Let’s make our world, country a better place for all,” Onyekwue said.
NAN
