By  Chioma Obinna

In line with its resolve to reduce the burden of mental illness in the state, the Lagos State Government has called for care and practical support for people living with with mental disorders.

Addressing a journalists during a road show/awareness walk to mark the 2014 World Mental Health Day with the theme, “Living With Schizophrenia”, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris who observed that people with such disorders like Schizophrenia; a long term disorder of the brain which affects how a person thinks, feels as well as act deserved enormous support from friends, families and the public.

Idris who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. ‘Modele Osunkiyesi said there is no single test to diagnose schizophrenia adding that the condition is usually diagnosed after assessment by a specialist in mental health.

“The treatment available for the disease will include a combination of medication, psychological therapies and rehabilitation” stressing that most people with the condition will make a recovery with appropriate treatment, although some may experience the occasional return of symptoms.

“We are better at treating it and minimising its consequences now than at any other time in previous human history. However the man-made consequences, the collateral damage caused by widespread stigma, ignorance and general negative attitude and lack of understanding on the part of the public need to be vigorously tackled.

Idris opined that there is the need for more mental health workers employed and deployed at the grassroots for the care of the populace adding that the best place for a person with any mental illness to live ultimately is the community and not the hospital.

“Even if a person with Schizophrenia is admitted for treatment in a specialist facility, it is necessary that a system of Community Care be developed to help him ultimately fit back seamlessly into the community.”