By Chioma Obinna
As the 4th Mental Health Summit organised by Vanguard Newspapers holds on Friday, a Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Veronica Nyamali and President, Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria has commended Vanguard Media Limited for its sustained commitment to mental health advocacy, public enlightenment and responsible reporting of the issues in Nigeria.
Nyamali, who spoke on the significance of the annual Vanguard Mental Health Summit, said the newspaper had consistently provided a platform for mental health professionals, stakeholders and members of the public to engage on emerging and critical issues affecting mental wellbeing.
She said mental health was fundamental to giving people “meaning, purpose and direction to life,” stressing that efforts to promote mental wellbeing should go beyond clinical care to include sustained public education and awareness.
According to her, Vanguard’s engagement with the mental health community has created valuable opportunities for Nigerians to gain better understanding of mental health conditions, available interventions and emerging developments in the field.
“Through its activities, Vanguard creates valuable opportunities to educate the Nigerian public by bringing together relevant stakeholders and experts to address important and contemporary mental health issues,” she said.
Nyamali noted that Vanguard’s contribution went beyond conventional news reporting, saying the organisation had over time built strong relationships with mental health professionals and demonstrated an understanding of responsible and professional reporting of mental health matters.
She described the annual Vanguard Mental Health Summit as “the peak of these efforts,” noting that the event had become a platform stakeholders and members of the public looked forward to each year.
She said: “The annual Vanguard Mental Health Summit stands as the peak of these efforts. It is an event that stakeholders and members of the public look forward to each year, providing an important platform for hearing the latest developments, perspectives and updates on emerging and ongoing mental health issues in Nigeria.”
According to Nyamali, the summit provides an opportunity for experts and stakeholders to draw attention to pressing mental health challenges while also exploring practical approaches to addressing them.
She commended Vanguard for its broad and balanced coverage of mental health issues, saying the newspaper had remained intentional about bringing important issues to public attention.
“Vanguard is also intentional about providing broad and balanced coverage, ensuring that important issues are brought to public attention and that no stone is left unturned when addressing the burning topics of the day,” she said.
Nyamali said the newspaper’s sustained commitment to mental health advocacy, education, professional collaboration and responsible journalism deserved recognition.
She added that Vanguard had demonstrated that the media could play a significant role in improving public understanding of mental health and reducing the misconceptions and stigma often associated with mental health conditions.
“In view of these efforts, Vanguard deserves to be recognised for its outstanding contribution to mental health awareness and advocacy in Nigeria, particularly as a leading mentally aware and mental-health-friendly print media organisation,” she said.
The Vanguard Mental Health Summit brings together psychiatrists, psychologists, other healthcare professionals, policymakers, advocates and members of the public to discuss critical issues around mental health and wellbeing in Nigeria.
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