During a parley with Human Rights Watch recently in Abuja, the Executive Secretary National Commission for Persons with Disabilities Mr. James David Lalu reiterated his commitments to protecting the rights of Persons with Mental health disabilities.
Speaking to the delegation from the group, the ES affirmed NDIS’ analogy that Psychosocial situation is a disability that may arise from a mental health issue which is not entirely about diagnosis but, the functional impact and barriers which may be faced by a person with mental health condition.
“This may also arise when a person with mental health condition interacts with a social environment that presents barriers to their equality wth members of the society, and the Commission is committed to protect such persons to overcome the barriers to social inclusion” he said.
Lalu added that the Commission is partnering with some government establishments such as the Nigerian Police, the Nigerian Bar Association, Human Rights Commission and Ministry of Justice in order to find a window towards a holistic inclusion and protection of the rights of all persons with disabilities, including those with Psychosocial problems.
The ES further disclosed that the Commission has created an Application to enhance feedbacks on issues of discrimination against PWDs Nationwide, whose ultimate design is to help curb such preconceived opinions and prejudicial treatments.
Earlier, the leader of.the group and the Director, Disability Right, Human Right Watch, Mrs. Shantha Rau Barriga, stated that mental health which includes emotional feelings, psychological problems affect human behaviours, and relationship with others, and appealed to the Commission to do everything legally possible to reintegrate them in the society.
“The Commission should invest and integrate the community to Primary Healthcare Services, as Psychosocial disability is one of the most misunderstood areas of disability.