By Rosemary Okoduwa
The Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the College of Nursing Sciences, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), and Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom, to strengthen mental healthcare delivery through Community Mental Health Nursing.
The commitment was made when the Provost of the College of Nursing Sciences, UBTH, Mrs. Abieyuwa Eweka, led a delegation of senior lecturers from Leeds Beckett University on a courtesy visit to the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, in Benin City.
Speaking during the visit, Mrs. Eweka explained that the delegation was at the ministry to explore strategic areas of collaboration aimed at addressing mental health challenges through Community Mental Health Nursing. She noted that while nursing education in Nigeria currently offers Public Health Nursing and Mental Health Nursing as separate specialties, there is no dedicated programme in Community Mental Health Nursing.
According to her, equipping nurses with community-based mental healthcare skills would bridge existing gaps in service delivery, enable patients to receive holistic care within their communities, and support their successful reintegration into society.
Also speaking, Dr. Chinyere Ihejieto, Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing at Leeds Beckett University, said that although the visiting team was in Nigeria on another assignment, discussions with the UBTH Provost revealed the urgent need for a collaborative approach to community mental healthcare.
She proposed the establishment of a pilot team comprising ten nurses, five Public Health Nurses and five Mental Health Nurses to pioneer the initiative. Dr. Ihejieto assured the ministry of the university’s commitment to providing technical support through the development of operational guidelines, the sharing of global best practices, and the introduction of proven frameworks currently used in the United Kingdom to strengthen Community Mental Health Nursing.
She explained that the initiative seeks to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness by shifting care from institutional settings to community and home-based support systems, enabling individuals living with mental health conditions to receive quality care in familiar environments.
Senior Lecturers from Leeds Beckett University, Caroline Key and Louisa Morley, further emphasized that Community Mental Health Nursing extends beyond the treatment and management of mental illness. According to them, the model prioritizes prevention, early intervention, addressing the root causes of mental health challenges, and promoting sustainable community wellbeing. They added that, as academics, they remain committed to making meaningful global impact by sharing knowledge, research, and practical experience.
Responding after extensive deliberations, the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, welcomed the proposed partnership, describing it as a timely initiative that aligns with the ministry’s commitment to improving mental healthcare services in Edo State.
She commended the visiting delegation for its willingness to share its expertise and wealth of experience in Community Mental Health Nursing, noting that the ministry has continued to implement targeted interventions to support persons living with mental health conditions.
Hon. Abdallah explained that the ministry operates a structured intervention framework through which persons with mental health challenges are identified, counselled, and referred to appropriate treatment facilities where necessary. She added that beneficiaries also receive psychosocial support and orientation and, upon full recovery and certification by medical professionals, are successfully reintegrated into society. Where applicable, they are further empowered through skills acquisition programmes to promote self reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the ministry’s openness to capacity-building initiatives and professional training that would enhance mental healthcare delivery across the state.
She stressed that the Edo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo, remains unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding the health, dignity, and overall wellbeing of every resident.
The meeting concluded with both parties expressing optimism that the proposed collaboration would lay the foundation for a more effective community based mental healthcare system, strengthen professional capacity, and improve outcomes for individuals living with mental health conditions across Edo State.
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