Inclusive Social Welfare and Empowerment Foundation (InclusiveSWEF), a non-governmental organisation held a conference on October 26, 2021 to commemorate the World Mental Health Day.
The conference was used to create awareness on disability, mental health and domestic violence, had in attendance, professionals from different fields from Nigeria and United Kingdom.
The event had several guest speakers, representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, government parastatals, representatives of various NGOs, as well as persons living with disabilities.
Convener of the conference and CEO of Inclusive Social Welfare and Empowerment Foundation, Chief (Mrs.) Pat Eleto, reiterated the objectives of the foundation as well as her empathy and passion in seeking justice/help for the abused and vulnerables in the society.
She said, it was the need to assist the less privileged, that necessitated her establishing the foundation, that has now become a source of succor to many persons with different forms of
challenges.
In her words, she said “our goal to enlighten the public on domestic violence and how it affects people with physical and learning disabilities, how they should be treated in order to minimize risks, how to response and seek help and access justice in case of abuse and also enlighten people on inclusiveness of persons with special needs”.
One of the guest speakers, Mr. Elizer Isaac Anuoluwayinka, a volunteer with Inclusive Social Welfare posited that, if people who are not living with any disability can be abused, disrespected or sidelined, then those living with disability are vulnerable and are bound to experience all forms of abuse especially in a country like Nigeria where the rights of citizens are trampled upon daily.
Also, Chief Adebayo Faleti, a specialist on mental health issues, explained the difference between mental health and mental illness.
He also expantiated on how to relate with people suffering from these challenges which include bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, trauma and other related issues.
Ms. Theresa Okeda also gave a presentation on different types and symptoms of abuse and mental illness, while Mrs. Ronke Adeyemi explained the risks and impacts of not accessing a counselor for proper solution.
Mrs. Adeyemi further elaborated on the need for people with mental disorders to always seek counseling/therapy as this helps in alleviating symptoms and promote mental well being.
Mr. Abayomi Adeoye, a dementia specialist, talked about how to handle cases of dementia.
He emphasized the need for those supporting persons with dementia to understand the illness because it has implications on family members and friends.
Ms. Audrey Ojiaku, a specialist on Elderly Care in the United Kingdom, pointed out that, the issue of abuse on the elderly, is an important public health problem that is mostly overlooked or under reported. The speaker said that available and reliable statistics showed that the elderly also faces different kinds of abuse ranging from physical, sexual, financial abuses and exploitation, neglect and abandonment e.g. and these abuses are mostly carried out by persons known to the abused.
On her part, Barrister Josephine Ijekhuemen Odikpo, a Principal Partner at Odikpo Okpe & Associates, gave a legal framework that guides persons with disabilities.
She explained the legal rights which persons living with disability have in order to live freely in the society without stigma. She also listed their rights and several ways they can access justice and inclusiveness.
In his vote of thanks, Chief (Engr.) Dele Coker, patron of Include Social Welfare and Empowerment Foundation, also used the opportunity to encourage other NGOs, as they are the pillar of the society outside the government.
The well attended event had drama presentations by Inclusive Social Welfare staff, to the delight of all participants, while Mrs. Gloria Young served as moderator.
