By Martha Agas
Jos – A Corps member in Jos, Miss Deinabo Obiechina on Monday organised an enlightenment rally on how to detect signs of mental ailment as part of her community development service in Plateau.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that many residents attended the rally, conducted at the popular terminus and Gada-biu markets in Jos North.
Addressing the people, the corps member noted that mental ailment was one of the major causes of death in the society that had not been accorded the attention it deserved.
Obiechina expressed worry that the society had a wrong perception that mentally ill people were only those who were “mad, wearing dirty clothes and scavenging on refuse”
“ Many people have the wrong impression that mentally ill people are only those on the streets who are wearing dirty clothes and picking dirt; it is beyond that.
“ Depression, anxiety and schizophrenia, amongst others, are also mental ailments causing deaths in our society,’’ she explained.
She said that the rally was to create awareness on the signs of mental illness that could graduate to complicated and life threatening situations.
Obiechina said the rally was organised in partnership with some medical personnel whose doors were open for counselling and treatment.
A woman who attended the rally, Mrs Comfort Karik , commended the corps member for using her time, energy and resources to give back to the society in a positive way.
Mrs Salilat Latif, an NYSC inspector in Jos North Local Government Area, urged the society to support the efforts of corps members, noting that many communities in Plateau had mentally ill people that were uncomfortable to seek for help because of the fear of being stigmatized as ‘mad’.