Driving Sustainable Mental Health Practices and Development in Africa, Nigeria in Focus – A Psychological Perspective

Abstract

The study was on driving sustainable mental health practices and development in Africa, Nigeria in focus – A psychological perspective. The investigation was conducted at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Calabar, Cross River State of Nigeria. A total of 27 professionals comprising of 3 psychologists, 6 psychiatrists, 10 nurses and 8 social workers, all in the clinical services section of the hospital participated in this study and were all Nigerians. A 15 item structured interview questionnaire was developed by the investigator, to illicit needed information on sustainable mental health practices and development was administered on the professionals, collected back and scored. Result showed 100% acceptance by participants that, there was inadequate mental health practices, which goes to affect sustainable development. 89% of them agreed that developing Nigeria, is a subset of Africa even in terms of developmental strides. 93% of professionals admitted that, we cannot ignore mental health in any developmental plan. 96% of them believed that, all Africans still have varied beliefs system about mental health and 96% attributed mental disorders to external causes. While 85% of them accepted that, sustainable development is a function of the human mind. 54% of them agreed that in Nigeria, there was good mental health services. But 100% also saw the need for (WHO) intervention in mental health sector. The professionals observed lack of orientation on mental health with just 19% accepting that, there is orientation in Africa. 85% admitted there was lack of human resources especially in the psychology area. 96% said they lack working tools. 85% observed systemic rivalry among workers there. 85% agreed there were rehabilitation and salaries imbalance issues respectively which de-motivated the workers. This is shown in bar-chart in the result of this study. The paper recommends that, concerned governments should draw more attent

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