Boko-Haram: Trauma help lines now a necessity

In a press statement Dr Udenze said, despite the various tragedies bedeviling country, it cannot boast of one effective crisis helpline that can assist with psychological interventions which he added should be a priority. He said Nigerians presently are being traumatized, live in deep fear, heightened anxiety, despair, helplessness, hopelessness, depression due to the horrors […]

In a press statement Dr Udenze said, despite the various tragedies bedeviling country, it cannot boast of one effective crisis helpline that can assist with psychological interventions which he added should be a priority.
He said Nigerians presently are being traumatized, live in deep fear, heightened anxiety, despair, helplessness, hopelessness, depression due to the horrors from the activities of insurgencies.
“The crises in northern Nigeria following the Boko haram insurgence are psychologically devastating.  Governors should be advocating for improved psychological support for the citizenry. You will never know the importance of these services until you set one up and collect data on people who have subscribed to it,” he said.
Udenze said Danielle Hewitt, a mental health professional from Baltimore, USA with 13 years of experience in the mental health field had come to Nigeria and visited ReconnectHDI and Synapse in Nigeria but was discouraged and surprised to  have find very few facilities and charities available for individuals struggling with mental health problems and substance abuse issues.
She returned to the states to become the Country Representative for ReconnectHDI (on voluntary basis) band is now sending relevant documents to several persons and organizations in USA including Mrs Michelle Obama (First Lady) to seek for support.
He said, “Nigerians need to be able to pick the phone and call a toll free number to speak to counselors who speak local dialects. This service has to be a 24hrs service. Sometimes stress, trauma, depression can make you have negative thoughts to the point of being suicidal. Sometimes you need to speak to a professional to counsel you and encourage you to seek further help.
“Nigerians do commit suicide due to depressed mood but we don’t have government data to capture the enormity of this problem.”