Lagos State Government promotes emotional wellbeing initiatives and care

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritizing mental health conversations in various settings, including homes, workplaces, and communities, emphasizing that emotional well-being should be treated as a public policy priority rather than a private struggle shrouded in stigma.

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Government officials have noted that the state's increasing investment in family support services, counselling, and psychosocial interventions reflects a growing recognition of the interconnectedness of untreated mental health challenges with domestic violence, family instability, and declining productivity.

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The Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation organised a Mental Health Awareness Programme in Ikeja, themed "More Good Days Together: Restoring Peace, Reclaiming Joy", to drive home the importance of mental health conversations.

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Rianat Onigbanjo, Permanent Secretary, represented the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji Dada, at the programme, where she described mental health as a vital component of overall well-being, deserving of the same public attention as physical health.

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Onigbanjo argued that emotional resilience is essential to navigating life's challenges, and that true strength is measured not only by physical health but also by the ability to live with hope, resilience, and emotional balance.

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She emphasized the need to create safe spaces where people can openly discuss emotional struggles, which is critical to addressing the stigma that discourages many from seeking help, and noted that the Sanwo-Olu administration's THEMES+ development agenda prioritizes people-centred interventions.

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The agenda, according to Onigbanjo, strengthens families, improves access to healthcare, and provides support for vulnerable residents, with the ministry already providing counselling and psychosocial support through its Domestic Violence Unit.

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The ministry's economic empowerment programmes also aim to improve emotional well-being by helping women achieve financial independence and personal security, and a recent parenting initiative seeks to tackle the underlying causes of emotional and psychological challenges.

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Onigbanjo cited family environments as a common origin of emotional and mental health challenges, urging participants to apply lessons from the programme in their families, workplaces, schools, places of worship, and communities.

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The programme's keynote session, facilitated by mental health advocate Damilola Odukoya, explored the realities of trauma, grief, emotional recovery, and resilience, and encouraged participants to recognize mental health as part of everyday life.

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The session also examined practical strategies for self-care, overcoming stigma, and building support networks to help individuals navigate emotional distress before it develops into more severe conditions.

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Unlike many government sensitisation programmes, participants engaged extensively with the discussions, sharing personal experiences and raising questions about emotional pressures associated with family life, work, and social expectations.

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Closing the programme, Director of the Domestic Violence Unit, Abiola Osifowokan, urged participants to sustain conversations on emotional wellness beyond the event, stressing that stronger communities begin with healthier relationships and homes where people feel safe seeking help.

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Osifowokan called on residents to support relatives, friends, and neighbours experiencing emotional difficulties and to encourage professional intervention rather than silence or judgement, as mental health has become a growing focus of public health advocacy in Nigeria.

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Professionals have long warned that widespread stigma, limited access to specialist care, and poor awareness prevent many people from receiving treatment despite growing psychological pressures associated with economic hardship, family conflict, and social change.

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For Lagos, the programme signalled an effort to position mental health not simply as a healthcare issue, but as one linked to family stability, poverty reduction, and community resilience—a shift officials believe is essential to improving the overall well-being of residents.