The Association for Reproductive and Family Health @arfhng in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), recently organized a two-day “Training of Trainers” program on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for the staff of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA).
The training, which commenced on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, focused on the fundamental principles of mental health, its impact on Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), and the necessary psychological support required for this demographic.
Addressing the significance of mental health, Chief of Party, Dr Felix Iwuala emphasized that it is a crucial aspect for everyone, with a growing awareness of the need for mental health and psychosocial support in Nigeria. He highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy mental status and the need for collaboration between ARFH, USAID, and LASODA to effectively disseminate this message to PWDs.
Expressing gratitude to the organizers, the GM remarked that the training was the first of its kind for LASODA and ARFH, stressing the importance of equipping all agency members with the ability to identify mental health concerns, both for individuals and PWDs. She noted that this training would enhance inclusivity in program implementation and enable them to prepare and engage various clusters in subsequent trainings.
Mrs. Adenike expressed optimism that participants would leave the training with improved knowledge, exposure, and understanding, underscoring LASODA’s openness to productive collaborations.
The training concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ARFH and LASODA, further solidifying their partnership to advance mental health and psychosocial support for PWDs.