LAGOS – A clinical psychologist and mental health care expert, Dr Richard Adebayo, on Tuesday urged [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
government at all levels to put in place a programme to rehabilitate victims of child molestation.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
Adebayo, a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, said that [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
children abused experience complications, which if not treated, could ultimately lead to mental disorder.
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“The authorities only ensure that physical injuries are cared for, but the health implications do not end there. Long term complications may evolve from what the child has passed through,
“The traumatised child keeps reliving the experience and the brain replays the incidence again and again, making it a fresh experience each time.
“They experience fear, anxiety and apprehension which lingers and results in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,
“Others may not be able to experience normal marital relationships and view males as potential abuser or opportunist.
“Some others would exhibit anti-social behaviours, become hostile, irritable, withdrawn and lose their self esteem even becoming sex workers,’’ he said.
The expert lauded the efforts of the Lagos State government in the fight against child defilement, but expressed the need for the same effort to be directed towards the support and care of the victims.
According to him, ignorance and the fear of being stigmatised prevent parents from seeking help for their children, who have been abused.
Adebayo implored the government to create enlightenment programme on mental health care and provide specific support services for affected children.
“Treatment should be offered to these children outside the hospital setting, where they can be evaluated by clinical psychologists.
“The government should ensure they receive treatment and more severe cases should be transferred to appropriate hospitals.
“Then a life line, as a form of follow up, should be available whereby the psychologist or counselor may be contacted if the need arises even years after the child’s ordeal,’’ the psychiatrist said.
Adebayo also charged the government to reorientate law enforcement agents on the way to handle child abuse cases.
“They should be trained in handling these sensitive matters so that they do not ignorantly undermine the fight,’’ he said.
The consultant psychiatrist also advised parents to do more to protect their children from predators.
“It is their primary responsibility to monitor the activities of their children, give them guidelines to protect them from predators, who are often familiar individuals,’’ he said.
Adebayo also said that the government should make appropriate mental health care available to the abusers because pedophilia is a mental order.
“Even in their prison cells, pedophiles should be helped, because a mental disorder is the underlying factor in their abnormal behaviour,’’ the medical expert said.
Another clinical psychologist, Mr Nathaniel Ayodeji, of Mental Health Foundation, Lagos, said that one in every five young people today had some form of mental health issues owing to unaddressed ugly childhood experiences.
“One in five young people today has one form of mental challenge; that is 20 per cent of our youths.
“This is because many have had unpleasant childhood experiences that have made them vulnerable and unable to cope with normal stress of life.
“They become depressed, withdrawn and lose their self esteem,’’ the psychologist said.
Ayodeji canvassed for greater enlightenment on mental health in order to educate the people.
“There is no mystery attached to mental health care. If you have malaria you need to see a doctor. The same principle applies with mental disorders,
“The government also needs to employ more professionals to meet the needs of those with mental health challenge,’’ he said. (NAN)