NUJ MEMBERS SENSITISED ON MENTAL WELL-BEING

By Our Correspondent

Members of the Ogun State Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Ministry of Information Chapel have been sensitised on how to ensure mental well-being and depression management for productive work outputs.

Delivering a health talk in Abeokuta, tagged: "Mental Health and Depression: The Way Out", organised for the members of the Union, the resource person, Dr. Olanrewaju Sodeinde described mental well-being as a state  where an individual is able to recognise and fulfill unique potentials, cope with normal stresses of life, work productively and contribute meaningfully to the community.

Dr. Sodeinde said that mental well-being relates to the working of the brain that affects the way a person thinks, feels and behaves, noting that physical activities boost mental wellness.

The Medical expert said depression is a major emotional disorder characterised by intense feelings of sadness and had become a leading cause of suicidal behaviour with over 150 million cases globally, adding that it is intense and more severe than mere periods of normal sadness, which could be distressful and life threatening.

He highlighted causes of depression to include, inadequate funding, lack of personnel and manpower development, lack of adequate access to effective mental health treatment, insecurity, violence and natural disasters, poverty, unemployment, stigmatisation, low mental health literacy, ignorance.

Sodeinde stated that depression could lead to neglect, separation, brain damage, sexual or emotional abuse, cognitive errors, adverse traumatic experience, bullying, robbery and rape, among others, suggesting positive thinking, regular exercise, healthy eating, good sleep, smart work, less worry and keeping things simple as solutions to depression.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alhaji Waheed Adesina appreciated the resource person for intimating the Chapel members from his wealth of experience, urging members of the Chapel to take care of their health and make best use of the talk, as depression is real. 

Adesina commended the executive of the Chapel for being cautious of prevalent issues in the society and putting up the sensitisation to improve the wellness of the members.

Speaking on behalf of other participants, Mr. Tunde Olayiwola stated that the programme was apt due to the high cases of depression being recorded in recent times, saying the lecture would help people out of their hopeless situations and enable the information officers to enlighten members of the public on the issue.