Disabilities most times are physical but the most sensitive is the mental health which controls every other aspects. This factor was the motivation for the visit by the Mandate Health Initiative to the Executive Secretary National Commission for Persons with Disabilities Mr. James David Lalu in his office today 17th November, 2021.
The ES who was visibly elated to have the team in his office stated that the visit is timely especially, as the Commission will celebrate the International disability day in a couple of weeks.
According to him, the state of mind of Persons with disabilities is very key to their happiness and survival.
He said the average PWD is depressed in one way or the other and needs soul lifting activities for social inclusion and acceptability.
He therefore, promised that the Commission will work closely with the organization to ensure the mental health segment is covered in the Strategic plan (2022-2026)of NCPWD.
In a quick reaction, the spokesman of the team, Dr. Zion Abbah thanked the ES for the endless advocacies he has been leading. He also congratulated him on his appointment as pioneer CEO of the Commission.
Dr Zion stated that Mental Health Initiative (MHI) is currently working on a project on Adolescent mental capacity building around schools where disclosed that young students face myriads of challenges which tend to distract them from their studies, as it could also lead to brain drain.
He further assured of his team’s resolve to scout for such innocent victims in a cluster spread across 10 schools in the FCT.
Speaking further, he mentioned the plan to produce handbook on the subject and opined that he would favour a pathnership with the Commission on that.