The Lagos State Ministry of Health has organized a mental health capacity-building training program for 314 primary healthcare staff, including doctors, nurses, community health officers, community health extension workers, and social workers from Primary Health Centers across the state. The training aimed to equip healthcare workers with the skills to recognize and manage common mental disorders like depression, anxiety, drug abuse, psychosis, stress, and handle psychiatric emergencies such as attempted self-harm and severe mental distress.
This training is part of the Mental Health in Primary Care (MeHPriC) project of the Lagos State Government, which seeks to integrate mental health services into the state’s Primary Health Care System. The initiative recognizes the interconnection between physical and mental health, emphasizing that addressing mental health concerns within the community setting is crucial for holistic healthcare.
Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, highlighted the benefits of the MeHPriC project, including early identification of mental health concerns, timely intervention, improved patient outcomes, and reduced stigma associated with mental health issues. He emphasized that integrating mental health services at the primary care level is vital for providing accessible, effective, and empathetic care to all individuals.
Dr. Tolu Ajomale, the Coordinator of Special Projects and Lagos State Ministry of Health Desk Officer, explained that the mental health training followed the World Health Organization’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme Intervention Guide, focusing on the identification and management of depression, anxiety, epilepsy, and substance abuse. The training is a significant step toward enhancing mental health care within the Lagos State Primary Health Care System, benefiting the well-being of the community.
