By Danjuma Attah, Gombe
As part of activities marking the 2024 World Mental Health Day, a sensitization session has been held for health and care workers in Gombe State on the importance of upholding workplace mental health.
Mental health is just as important as physical health, especially for those working in demanding caregiving roles in health facilities, but a lot of health workers and caregivers have inadequate knowledge of how to face or take care of such challenges.
Organizers of the sensitization session, VentCope Relief Initiative, SelvedgePsych and the Gombe State Network of Civil Society (GONET), which was held in Shongom Primary Health Clinic and Yelwan Bogo Primary Health Center, made efforts in helping the workers find solutions to the mental health challenges they face, particularly those serving vulnerable populations.
Shongom Primary Health Clinic and Yelwan Bogo Primary Health Center, serve an average of 10,000 people from 44 different settlements.
During the sessions, Sharon Yabilsu-Guyuk introduced the health and care workers to critical mental health topics, including recognizing the signs of stress and burnout as well as strategies for managing workplace stress.
She also took the workers on the importance of peer support in maintaining mental well-being. The program emphasized that mental health is just as important as physical health, especially for those working in demanding caregiving roles.
Participants were encouraged to take the Mental Health Pledge by committing to prioritise their mental health and creating a supportive work environment for themselves and their colleagues.
By equipping these workers with the tools to manage stress and seek help when needed, the program was aimed at improving their well-being and the quality of care they provide to the community.
Ibrahim Yusuf, Chairman of GONET, said VentCope, SelvedgePsych, and GONET are dedicated to ensuring that frontline responders in Gombe State receive the mental health support they need, reason for engaging in the programme.
