The summit, titled “Mental Health in a Distressed Economy,” brought together health specialists to discuss the topic.

Dr Osahon Enabulele, President of the World Medical Association, stressed the importance of government intervention to help the country reach a stable mental health condition. He also advocated for increased awareness and protection for persons with mental health concerns.

“Mental health discussion could not have been chosen at a better time than now. When all the countries of the world, including Nigeria, are still trying to recover from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic”, he stated.

Also in attendance, Professor Olatunji Francis Aina, Professor of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, UNILAG, stated, “Health is a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being and not mere absence of disease and infirmity. Mental Health is so important that there is no health without mental Health.”

Professor Aina highlighted that “people’s mental health is vulnerable during economic distress or recession. In other words, economic recession and its associated problems such as unemployment, income decline, and huge debts are significantly associated with mental health issues, increased rate of common mental disorders, psycho-active substance use disorders and suicidal attempts.”

Giving his goodwill message at the Summit, 9mobile’s Executive Director, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Abdulrahman Ado, represented by Chineze Amanfo, 9mobile’s Public Relations Lead,  emphasized the importance of having more dialogues around mental Health. “Mental Health issues should be continually discussed,” she stated, “even with the incessant and overwhelming stories of suicide we hear every day.”

“As a customer-centric brand concerned with Nigerians’ well-being, we are doing everything we can to raise awareness through advocacy and ensure that the dialogue about mental health is perpetuated, hence the necessity for the 9mobile Health Talk Series.” “The virtual series aims to lay down mental health issues in very simple words so that everyday people can connect,” she explained.

9mobile organizes the Health Talk series as part of its CSR pillars – Health, to raise public health awareness and generate conversation about mental health concerns and how to solve them in the best interests and well-being of society.

This is in line with one of its CSR pillars of ‘Health’ which gave birth to its quarterly health talk series in 2021.

The virtual health talk series commenced during the Covid-19 pandemic to drive conversations around mental health issues to inspire action and promote well-being.

Speaking on the relevance of this year’s theme, Abdulrahman Ado, the Executive Director of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, 9mobile, said, “This year’s theme underscores the importance of mental health and well-being to everyone and why it should be given utmost priority. It is a critical issue that needs adequate attention, and we at 9mobile will continue to drive the conversation around it to sensitize people and, more importantly, promote a healthier and safer society for all.”

Ado further said, “It is important to state that since we started the virtual health talk series in 2021, we have held five consecutive series with tremendous impacts. The topics discussed during previous editions include; ‘Covid-19 and the new normal: Staying mentally healthy in the face of the challenges; ‘Responding to the rising challenge of Hypertension in a pandemic-depressed world’; ‘Managing Stress to Increase Productivity’ ‘Mental health; the myth, the challenge & recovery’ and ‘Loneliness and Mental Health.’  

With seasoned mental health advocates and medical practitioners as facilitators; Executive Director at She Writes Woman Hauwa Ojeifo; certified medical professionals Dr. Egemba Chinonso popularly known as Aproko Doctor; Dr. Juliet Offiah, known as Dr Julz and Dr Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri, known as the ‘Celebrity Shrink’ led discussions at different editions to dissect the issues on mental health challenges and solutions.”

The conversation around the importance of mental health and well-being is never-ending, and 9mobile will continue to raise awareness and educate the public through advocacy about the significance of maintaining general well-being and increasing productivity.

The commemoration of ‘World Mental Health Day every October provides another unique opportunity for individuals, corporate organizations, and governments worldwide to sustain the current advocacy and develop newer ways to tackle mental health challenges.