The Sokoto State Government, in partnership with Plan International, funded by Global Affairs Canada, launched a toll-free helpline for mental health and psycho-social support aimed at adolescents in the state on Saturday, 24th February 2024.
Hajiya Asabe Balarabe, the State Commissioner of Health, emphasized that the initiative was part of the “Aspire Project” by the NGO to tackle prevalent mental health challenges, especially worsened by current economic hardships.
Balarabe, represented by Dr Abdulganiyu Yusuf, Director of Public Health in the ministry, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing measures in all health facilities across the state.
“These include training and retraining of personnel to ensure mental health services are available in all Primary Health Care Centers in Sokoto State,” she said.
Expressing gratitude to Plan International for its support, the commissioner assured sustained government backing for all the project’s activities, emphasizing its dedication to societal well-being.
Mr Camillus Ogba, Mental Health and Psycho-social Support Officer of the organization, mentioned that the event aimed to promote proper mental health among adolescents. He stressed the importance of providing support to individuals facing mental health and psycho-social challenges by connecting them with professionals.
Ogba stated that the toll-free helpline would provide citizens with a vital resource for addressing mental health challenges in Sokoto state, with the project’s duration spanning five years and covering all 23 local government areas.
Encouraging citizens to utilize the helpline, Ogba emphasized the importance of combating mental health and psycho-social challenges for a healthier society.
Dr Raphael Aworinde, Senior Health Coordinator at Plan International, explained that the Aspire Project addresses various adolescent issues.
“The initiative is in order to tackle issues such as sexual violence, unsafe abortion, child marriage, pregnancy complications, childbirth, HIV, and female genital mutilation, among other violations,” he said.