As part of its activities marking the 2024 World Mental Health Day, the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), Vito Corsica Deck (Aniocha/Oshimili & Ika ) in collaboration with Blizzard Deck (Boston, Massachusettes), have called on government at all levels to see a way to partner with rehabilitation centers for the benefit of patients.
The group made the call on Thursday while carrying out sensitization campaign at a rehabilitation center known as Mama Akpu TRADOMEDICAL MENTAL Home, at Ugbolu in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Appealing to Government and other well-meaning Nigerians to address long decadence and other challenges facing Rehabilitation Centers across the State, the Cap’n of the Vito Corsica Deck of the Pyrates Confraternity, Comrade Michael Nwaidei noted that despite growing global awareness, mental health remains a low priority in many Nigerian workplaces.
Nwaidei asserted that “The current economic hardship has exacerbated this issue, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and depression among workers.
Many employees, both onshore and offshore, face significant challenges including stigmatization and discrimination; limited access to Mental Health Resources; economic stress; workplace culture; lack of awareness and education; global disconnect and too numerous to mention”.
While explaining that the sensitization campaign was another clear demonstration of the Confraternity’s abiding commitment to contribute to the development of a just and egalitarian society, Michael Nwaidei, the Aniocha / Oshimili & Ika axis Pyrates Cap’n revealed that the sensitization which was aimed at promoting mental health in the society was part of the Confraternity’s activities to commemorates this year’s World Mental Health Day in Vito Corsica and Blizzard Decks of the Association, and that similar exercise was being carried out in all the chapters of the Association worldwide.
Apart from sensitization campaign, the collaboration of the Vito Corsica and Blizzard Decks of NAS also provided interfaith with patients and care-givers of the Mama Akpu Trado-Medical Home. This was led by Dr Kelechi Okolo, a Mental Health / Public Health Specialist from the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Asaba, on a topic which centred on ‘BENEFITS OF COLLABORATION IN MENTAL HEALTH MANAGEMENT’
Appreciating the Association for the kind gesture, the proprietor of the MAMA AKPU rehabilitation center, Mrs. Ifeoma Okechukwu requested for regular medical support for her patients and the Center.
Locals at the community also joyfully commended the National Association of Seadogs for the huge donations and medical /health talk.
The highlight of the event was the donation of food supplements, food stuffs and toiletries to the Center by NAS.
