SPEECH BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF SPECIAL DUTIES AND INTER-GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS ON THE OCCASION OF THE LAUNCH OF THE MIND WHEEL PROJECT TOLL-FREE LINE IN ABUJA ON TUESDAY 11TH MAY, 2020.
Protocols
I am most delighted to be here today to witness this historic launch of the Mind Wheel Toll-Free Line which is aimed at providing a sustainable social change and development in the mental health and well-being of Nigerians. This is a collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, and the private sector.
2.The burden of mental health challenges in Nigeria is enormous, especially during the corona virus pandemic era. Cognizant of this, the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, in collaboration with The Mind Wheel Project, an initiative of The Sunshine Series – Mind Wellness Ltd., is set to provide nationwide free tele-counselling services following the adverse and worsening psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons infected and affected.
3.The strategic preparedness and response plan outlines the public health measures that The Mind Wheel Project intends to implement especially as it relates to mental health. The Mind Wheel Project is out to support the populace with free tele-counseling services during this COVID-19 pandemic. The counseling will take into consideration what Nigerians and other members of the public have gone through during the period of the lockdown and offer appropriate counseling services that could enhance mental well-being and foster community resilience.
4.It is apposite to state that the World Health Organization (WHO) has also welcomed this initiative and is ready to support the objectives of the Mind Wheel Project in providing free tele-counseling services to Nigerians infected and affected by COVID-19. In addition, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy has graciously provided toll-free lines for the services. It is hoped that this endeavor will have a meaningful and sustainable impact on vulnerable Nigerian communities as well as help provide holistic recovery on the infected and affected population, pre and post-COVID-19 pandemic.
5.According to the World Health Organization, one in every four Nigerians, comprising about 50 million people are suffering from one form of mental illness or the other. The pandemic alone has led to an increase in mental health concerns especially fear, worry, anxiety and depression. This presupposes that many people in Nigeria or our friends, colleagues or family members are experiencing mental health challenges directly or indirectly.
6.While the Government through the Ministry of Health is leading discussions around mental health policy reforms, care and services, there is much more that we can all do at every level to make the conversation and practice of mental health as common and accessible as physical health. This is why the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs has seen the need to support the quest of ensuring mental health for all by leveraging on digital technology and telecommunications as a tool in providing free psychosocial support for Nigerians. This is key, as Nigeria like other countries is building her way out of the complex socio-economic situations the pandemic has put us. Therefore, to recover at an increasing pace, we need to build the needed resilience of Nigerians during and after this pandemic.
7.In its contribution, The Sunshine Series-Mind Wellness Ltd., an Abuja based mental health organization founded by Aisha Bubah, providing specific solutions to mental health concerns of Nigerians, most especially through the organization’s ongoing Mind Wheel Project, which offers free counseling and psychosocial support to persons struggling with their mental health as a result of the pandemic and its challenges is most desirable. As at date, this project has reached over 5,000 Nigerians, directly and indirectly through counseling sessions, capacity building, online webinars and psycho-educational materials.
8.It is our firm belief that this kind of dedicated support will not only help address people’s personal challenges but also enable them access mental wellness to flourish and succeed. It is in the light of the foregoing that the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs is happy to be a part of this project. It therefore, goes without saying that if we invest in the mental health of Nigerians, our people will be efficient in all areas of their lives at the individual, family, organization, community, state and national levels.
9.In order to expand the reach of the Mind Wheel tele-mental health led initiative, the Ministry is happy to support the project, through the National Lottery Trust Fund by launching a national toll-free helpline, the first of its kind in Nigeria.
10.I believe that this is one of the best approaches aimed at tackling the diverse challenges of mental health service delivery in terms of accessibility and affordability, and more importantly to address the issue of inadequate mental health professionals for the bulging Nigerian population of over 200 million. I also want to use this medium to reiterate that this administration is keen on supporting social impact for a sustainable and effective delivery in our communities and Nigeria as a whole.
11.May I use this opportunity to warmly congratulate The Sunshine Series-Mind Wellness and its team on what it has achieved so far and encourage you to re-double your efforts, as I am sure that – in the years to come it will be worth the investment.
Thank you all for listening and God bless.
