LAGOS- Professor of Psychiatry, Jude Ohaeri, has urged Nigerians, particularly youths, to imbibe the culture of research finding to avoid false narratives, get proper solutions to problems and be able to drive suicide prevention.
Ohaeri, a Consultant Psychiatrist, gave the advice at the 2024 National Conference of the Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative (SURPIN), on Saturday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the virtual conference had the theme: “Research As A Tool For Promoting Mental Wellbeing”.
The conference featured presentation of research findings on suicide, conducted by some selected youths from secondary and tertiary institutions across the country.
The youths were given seed grant by SURPIN to enable them carry out the research findings.
Ohaeri, a keynote speaker at the programme, decried the lack of research attitude among Nigerians, which he said, retards development of the country.
According to him, research will not only enable one to proffer solutions to problems, but will also guarantee evidence-based practices and information.
Ohaeri, who decried the rate of internet/social media addiction among youths, advised youths to stop believing everything on the internet, but should endeavour to verify every information that came their way.
“Believing everything on the internet and social media is the bane of Nigerian youths’ problem, which is dangerous and harmful.
“Research everything; even cooking can be researched for better outcomes.
“The glory of research findings goes beyond the individual; it traverses generations. All other professions, not just the science, should key into research findings.
“As a youth, you should be rigorous in your thinking. Get acquainted with statistics and develop research culture,” Ohaeri said.
Speaking also, Dr Kike Oyekanmi, consultant psychiatrist, Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun state, said that research findings gave in-depth knowledge about things.
Oyekanmi said that youths getting involved in suicide research would make them to be more familiar with suicide issues and be able to work toward its prevention.
According to her, 90 per cent of people who die by suicide are having one form of mental health disorder/substance abuse disorder that is not treated.
She attributed the reason for untreated mental health disorders to be largely due to stigma, saying that with research on suicide, the problem of stigma could be significantly addressed.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, appreciated SURPIN for the initiative, saying that the organisation’s efforts in suicide prevention since its inception in 2017, had been impactful.
Abayomi was represented by the Director/Head of Special Projects & Mental Health at Lagos State Government, Dr Tolu Ajomale.
In his goodwill message, Abayomi assured SURPIN of governments’ continuous support.
Earlier, the National President, SURPIN, Dr Arit Esangbedo, reaffirmed commitment of SURPIN to suicide prevention through education, research and intervention.
Esangbedo said that SURPIN planned to continue the research project by awarding seed grant to youths to conduct research on suicide and related issues.
According to her, one tertiary institution and one secondary school will be given seed grant to conduct research on suicide over next year.
The conference had in attendance erudite professionals from the health sector, including Prof. Sheikh Taiwo, Coordinator, Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group; Prof. Afolabi Lesi, Board Chairperson of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and Prof. Moruf Adeleke, SURPIN Ambassador among others.(NAN)
