Nigeria has as much as 25 to 30% of its populace suffering from mental illness, and less than 10% of this population has access to professional assistance. This is the reason institutions like CLI College Nigeria are striving to bridge the gap by training mental healthcare workers.
The assertion above was given by Dr. Obatomi Alalade, a Medical doctor and mental health expert, during the recent Mental Health and Addiction webinar hosted by CLI College.
Dr. Alalade spoke also on the roles of individuals, government, and community as stakeholders in breaking the stigma associated with mental illness, so that more people can speak out and seek help. He discussed various causes and different types of disorders in children and adults like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), etc.
He stressed the need for more Nigerians to get into the mental healthcare industry by taking training like the Mental Healthcare & Addiction counselling program offered by CLI College so that they can take part in the numerous job opportunities in that sector.
Themed “Dealing with Mental Health and Addiction at the Workplace and Home”, the webinar addressed issues ranging from the causative factors, identifying mental health concerns that may arise in both the workplace and home and dealing with them before they become full-blown mental disorders.
The webinar featured industry experts and mental healthcare professionals including Ms. Magdalene Osunde, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner; Dr. Obatomi Alalade, a resident doctor and mental health counsellor; and Ms. Unwana Etebong, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
In her lecture, Ms. Magdalene Osunde highlighted money as a factor that can lead to mental health illness and explained some remedies that can help curb any form of mental illness and addiction. She emphasized the importance of taking a therapy session when any type of mental health or emotional concern affects daily life and function.
The speakers provided guidance on how to approach conversations about mental health and addiction with colleagues, employees, and loved ones. They also spotlighted signs and symptoms of mental health disorders and addiction, and how to identify them in themselves and others.
Going further in the discourse, psychiatric & mental health nurse, Unwana Etebong, identified signs of stress and burnout at home/work by describing conditions people suffer from as a result of exposure to stressors in their environment. She went on to explain mental health illness, societal influences on mental health, and activities that can help improve mental health and well-being.
Watch the Webinar Replay:
About CLI College
Career Learning International (CLI) College is a leading private career college in Nigeria offering programs for students who are seeking career advancement or who are looking to launch a new career altogether. CLI College Nigeria is globally recognised, and a member of the International Association of Private Career College (IAPCC).
The Mental Health and Addiction program is designed for professionals working in front-line and community-serving roles. Anyone who regularly interacts with people will benefit from this training: healthcare workers, social workers, educators, law enforcement, HR professionals. CLI college promises to get you career ready in less than a year.
At CLI College, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to further their education, including those without a university degree. Come as you are and we would get you career-ready in LESS THAN A YEAR!
