By Zainab Kasim Ibrahim
Plan International Nigeria, in collaboration with the Bauchi State Ministry of Health and development partners, has commemorated the 2025 World Mental Health Day with renewed calls for greater access to mental health services, particularly during catastrophes and emergencies.
The event, held in Bauchi, had the theme: “Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.”
Speaking at the event, the Director of Public Health, Alhaji Abdullahi Dan Asabe, who represented the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Muhammad Sani Dambam, described the commemoration as timely and important in promoting awareness and care for mental wellbeing.
He observed that while women tend to express pain and seek help more easily, many men suppress their emotions — a trend he said must change if society is to make progress in mental health care.
According to him, “Expressing pain is not a weakness. We must learn to talk about our emotions and seek professional help when necessary. Mental health is as important as physical health.”
Alhaji Abdullahi commended Plan International and its partners for their commitment to improving mental health awareness and officially declared the event open on behalf of the Commissioner for Health.
Also speaking, Joy Owoicho of WaterAid Nigeria congratulated participants on the commemoration and emphasized that mental health is a basic human right, not a privilege.
She urged people to replace stigma with empathy and to create spaces where individuals can freely express their struggles and seek help, noting that “mental health is everybody’s business.”
In a goodwill message, Noel Gukas, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Officer of Plan International Nigeria, reaffirmed the organization’s global commitment to prioritizing mental health, especially among young people affected by crises.
He stated:
“On this World Mental Health Day, we at Plan International Nigeria join the global community in recognising that mental health is not a luxury — it is a vital part of our resilience and recovery, especially in times of crisis. This year’s theme reminds us that when disasters strike — whether through conflict, displacement, climate shocks, or health emergencies — the psychological and emotional impact is profound and often overlooked.”
Mr. Gukas noted that many children and young people face lasting trauma, disrupted schooling, and loss of support systems during emergencies, stressing that every child deserves access to safe, inclusive, and youth-friendly mental health services.
He reaffirmed Plan International Nigeria’s commitment to promoting safe spaces for young people, working with governments and communities to build accessible support systems, and empowering youth with life skills and peer support.
He further encouraged young people to speak up and seek help when struggling, saying, “Seeking help is a sign of strength. Together, we can ensure that mental-health support is not an afterthought, but a central part of every emergency response.”
The commemoration brought together representatives from government agencies, civil society organizations, health professionals, and youth groups, all united in promoting empathy, awareness, and access to mental health care for all.
