Officials call for open conversations, counselling and stronger family support as the state seeks to tackle stigma and promote emotional well-being
The Lagos State Government is intensifying its push for mental health awareness, urging residents to bring conversations about emotional well-being into homes, workplaces and communities rather than allowing stigma to keep psychological struggles hidden.
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The call was made during a Mental Health Awareness Programme organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Ikeja, under the theme, “More Good Days Together: Restoring Peace, Reclaiming Joy.”
The programme brought renewed attention to the links between emotional well-being, family stability, domestic violence and productivity, with officials stressing that mental health should be treated as a public policy priority rather than a private struggle.
Representing the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji Dada, the Permanent Secretary, Rianat Onigbanjo, described mental health as a fundamental part of overall well-being and called for greater acceptance of emotional support and professional counselling.
“Mental health is a vital component of our overall well-being. True strength is measured not only by physical health but by our ability to live with hope, resilience and emotional balance despite life’s challenges,” Onigbanjo said.
She said the programme was designed to encourage residents to discuss emotional difficulties openly and seek professional assistance without fear of discrimination.
For many people experiencing distress, the first barrier is often not the absence of a problem but the fear of being judged for admitting that they need help.
Onigbanjo said creating safe spaces for honest conversations could help dismantle that barrier and encourage people to seek support before emotional difficulties develop into more serious challenges.
She linked the initiative to the Lagos State Government’s THEMES+ development agenda, which places emphasis on people-centred interventions, stronger families, healthcare access and support for vulnerable residents.
According to her, the ministry’s efforts extend beyond awareness campaigns.
Its Domestic Violence Unit provides counselling and psychosocial support, while economic empowerment initiatives seek to improve the emotional well-being of women by strengthening their financial independence and personal security.
Onigbanjo also pointed to the family as an important starting point for addressing emotional and psychological challenges.
“Many emotional and mental health challenges originate within the home,” she said, urging participants to take the lessons from the programme into their families, workplaces, schools, places of worship and communities.
The keynote session, facilitated by mental health advocate Damilola Odukoya, examined the often-overlooked experiences of trauma, grief, emotional recovery and resilience.
The discussion encouraged participants to view mental health as part of everyday life rather than an issue that belongs exclusively within hospitals or clinical settings.
Participants were also introduced to practical approaches to self-care, overcoming stigma and building support networks that can help individuals cope with emotional distress.
The engagement took a notably personal turn as participants shared experiences and raised questions about the pressures associated with family responsibilities, employment and social expectations.
Those conversations reflected the growing recognition that emotional distress can affect people across different backgrounds and circumstances.
Closing the programme, the Director of the Domestic Violence Unit, Abiola Osifowokan, urged participants to keep the conversation alive beyond the event.
She stressed that stronger communities depend on healthier relationships and homes where people feel safe enough to acknowledge difficulties and seek assistance.
Osifowokan also encouraged residents to pay attention to relatives, friends and neighbours who may be struggling emotionally and to encourage them to seek professional support rather than respond with silence or judgement.
The emphasis on early support comes amid growing concern over mental health challenges in Nigeria, where stigma, limited access to specialist services and inadequate public awareness continue to discourage many people from seeking help.
Economic pressures, family conflict and rapid social change have also added new layers of stress for many households, making emotional resilience increasingly important to personal and community well-being.
For Lagos, the latest initiative represents a broader approach to mental health awareness, placing emotional wellness alongside family stability, poverty reduction and community resilience.
The message from the programme was ultimately straightforward but significant: mental health should not be discussed only when a crisis occurs.
By encouraging people to talk, listen and seek help early, officials hope to foster homes and communities where emotional struggles are met with understanding rather than shame.
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The challenge now is to ensure that the conversation continues long after the awareness programme has ended, translating public advocacy into accessible counselling, reliable psychosocial support and a culture in which seeking help is viewed as a sign of strength rather than weakness.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
