By Lizzy Carr
A consultant Psychiatrist with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital Bauchi Dr Fawaz Babandi has attributed the recent spate of alleged killings among family members in the state to subtle mental health issues among individuals that is not known to the public.
Speaking to our correspondent on recent reports of three violent incidents in the State, the Consultant said people with potential to commit violence have previous history of physical attacks.
He noted that such individuals have a presence of mental illness and at times the availability of the weapon triggers their actions.
The consultant Psychiatrist added that symptoms to watch out for are when a person develops poor sleeping habits, feels internal body heat, lost of interest in interaction and prolonged headaches that if not attended to manifest in violence attacks.
“There is no health with mental health which is why we want government to prioritize mental health by integrating it into all levels of health care”.
Dr Fawaz Babandi stated that mental health has been neglected by government which effects is the violence we witness in the society.
“Primary health care level is closest to the people but there are no mental health services there, the health workers themselves are not trained to identify and treat mental health issues which is a major challenge”.
He further said the Department at ATBUTH see a lot of patients with depression, schizophrenia, bi polar disorder and substance abuse.
The consultant Psychiatrist individuals need to promote and maintain their mental well-being by seeking help when they notice any symptoms of poor sleep and voices in their head.
“The individual needs to seek help because most at times are signs are there but people will only realize when the person has committed an offense then they will recall some abnormal behaviors he exhibited”.
He said the families and communities must monitor members of their communities and assist those who need help especially the youths who are involved in substance abuse”.
The consultant also spoke on the issue of stigmatization that push most persons with mental health issues to stay away.
“The society do stigmatized patients with mental health problems even we the Doctors are not left out which is why we want mental health services to be integrated so that people can visit the psychiatry unit without fear of stigma”.
To him mental health is everyone’s business because it might affect anyone at anytime.
