A mental health expert, Dr. Okonkwo Bartholomew, has underscored the importance of mental health awareness as a foundation for workforce productivity and national development, cautioning that untreated psychological conditions continue to weaken economic performance and reduce workplace efficiency.

Bartholomew, a Senior Registrar at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Benin City, made the remarks while delivering a keynote lecture titled, “Knowing Your Mental Health Status: A Pre-requisite for a Robust and Productive Economy,” during a one-day programme held in Benin City, Edo State.

The event was organised by the Federated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, in partnership with the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH), Uselu. The programme focused particularly on commercial drivers, combining mental health awareness with free screening services.

The mental health specialist explained that routine mental health screening, early diagnosis, and prompt intervention remain vital in tackling psychological disorders. He also stressed the need for continuous public awareness campaigns to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness, adding that understanding one’s mental health status is crucial to building a resilient and highly productive workforce.

Delivering her welcome address, Chairman of the Federated Chapel, Mercy Onyenweli, described mental wellness as a critical factor in driving national productivity and sustainable development. She pointed to the growing psychological pressures confronting journalists, commercial drivers, civil servants, and students, emphasizing the importance of structured support systems for vulnerable groups.

Onyenweli announced that the mental health outreach programme, which featured awareness campaigns and free mental health screening for commercial drivers, would become an annual initiative of the chapel.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, Festus Alenkhe, praised the Federated Chapel for initiating the programme, describing it as a proactive intervention with significant social impact.

Alenkhe, who also serves as the Acting Managing Director of the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS), encouraged other NUJ chapels to replicate similar initiatives by promoting programmes that address pressing societal challenges. He further urged journalists to go beyond reporting events by leading interventions capable of improving the welfare of citizens, reaffirming the media’s role in advancing positive social change.

In his goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary of the Edo State Ministry of Transportation, Barr. (Dr.) Samson Erhaze, described the partnership between media practitioners and healthcare professionals as both timely and strategic. He noted that sound mental health contributes directly to transportation safety, workplace productivity, and sustainable development.

The programme also noted the absence of the Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, as neither the commissioner nor any representative of the ministry attended to update participants on ongoing health sector reforms in the state.

Participants at the event concluded by calling for stronger and sustained collaboration among the media, healthcare institutions, and government agencies to expand mental health awareness and integrate mental wellness into public policy and community engagement initiatives across Nigeria.

Source: Champion News