Mental health crucial to overall well-being, says FULafia VC
Mental health day: Mental health crucial to overall well-being, says FULafia Vice Chancellor
Amanna
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, (FULafia), Professor Shehu Abdul Rahman, has said that mental health is crucial to the overall well-being of the citizens and the development of any society.
The vice-chancellor stated this when he declared open an awareness campaign to commemorate the 2023 World Mental Health Day.
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The event which was organised by the Counseling Unit of the FULafia Students Affairs Division, took place at the 500-Seat Auditorium, Permanent Site Campus.
The vice-chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Professor Ali Ishaq Shugaba, said that an individual's mental health should not be overlooked, adding "In medicine, for an individual to be unwell it's not just when you have headache or fever but also when your mental health is unwell.”
He said mental health determines how people think, feel, act, handle stress and make healthy choices, advising both staff and students to take their mental health seriously.
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He listed some benefits of sound mental health to include improved learning, creativity, higher levels of productivity, better social relationships, good physical health and increased life expectancy.
While commending the Dean of the Students Affairs Division, Professor M. A. Hudu, for organising the programme, Abdul Rahman said that mental health awareness was necessary to live overall healthy life.
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Speaking earlier, the Dean, Student Affairs Division, Hudu, thanked the vice-chancellor for his support and zeal towards ensuring the well-being of students.
He pointed out that depression was a slow killer, urging them to be conscious of their mental health to avoid negative outcomes.
“If your health is in order, a sweet life is guaranteed,” he said.
In her vote of thanks, the Head, Counseling Unit, FULafia, Mrs Ene B. Adoda, called on the students to show love and kindness to others, saying: “Don't break people’s hearts. Be the reason for someone to live and improve their mental health.”
The experts who lectured on the day were the Director, Medical Services, FULafia, Dr. S. A. Agunede, Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychiatric Unit, DASH, Lafia, Dr. Paul. E. Agbo, Clinical Psychologist, Psychiatric Unit, DASH, Lafia, Mr Yusuf Onawo.
The highlight of the event was a drama presentation by the Theatre and Media Arts (TMA) Department, (FULafia).
