By Angela Atabo/Justina Auta
Stakeholders have referred to as for accessible and inclusive psychological well being companies for deaf girls and ladies, urging healthcare suppliers to handle communication boundaries, stigma, abuse and discrimination.
They made the decision at a National Mental Health Summit for deaf girls and ladies organised by the Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI) on Thursday in Abuja.
The summit had the theme, “From Stigma to Solution: Advancing Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing for Deaf Women”.
The Executive Director of DWAI, Mrs Hellen Beyioku-Alase, mentioned deaf girls and ladies confronted emotional misery, trauma and abuse however usually struggled to entry acceptable psychological well being assist.
She mentioned many psychological well being services weren’t outfitted to satisfy their communication wants, limiting entry to counselling and different assist companies.
Beyioku-Alase mentioned DWAI had shared psychological well being consciousness movies in Nigerian Sign Language and organised therapeutic circles the place deaf girls may share their experiences.
She recounted instances of girls who had skilled trauma and abuse, together with a lady who misplaced her listening to and an arm in an accident however acquired no counselling or remedy.
According to her, the National Mental Health Act, 2021, mentions signal language solely in relation to consent for remedy with out making particular provisions for interpreters in psychological well being services.
“In countries like the UK and USA, best practices mean having doctors who can sign, of providing specialised, Deaf-led counselling. We can do this in Nigeria too.
“So today, we move from stigma to solution. We demand four things: First, sign language interpreters in all public mental health facilities. Second, train mental health workers in basic sign language and Deaf culture.
“Third, fund mental health information in sign language. Fourth, enforce the Disability Act to stop the abuse of our women,” she mentioned.
She mentioned Nigeria had the required legal guidelines and proof to enhance entry to psychological well being companies however required stronger authorities motion to implement them.
The National Coordinator, National Mental Health Programme, Dr Tunde Ojo, mentioned stigma and discrimination undermined belief and discouraged individuals from looking for psychological healthcare.
Ojo, represented by Mrs Grace Adedunmade, Assistant Director of Nursing Services, mentioned the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had superior implementation of the National Mental Health Act and revised the National Mental Health Policy in 2023.
He mentioned the ministry had additionally built-in psychological well being companies into major healthcare by means of the difference of the World Health Organisation’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme, often known as mhGAP 3.0.
Ojo harassed the necessity for healthcare suppliers to ask deaf girls about their most popular communication strategies, defend their confidentiality and guarantee accessible referral pathways.
He urged stakeholders to contain deaf girls and ladies in designing and evaluating psychological well being companies.
Also talking, Mr Diego Martin of the Embassy of Spain reaffirmed his nation’s dedication to human rights and the promotion of the rights of individuals with disabilities.
Martin mentioned Spain supported the ideas of the 2006 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which recognised individuals with disabilities as full rights holders.
He counseled DWAI for organising the summit and urged individuals to make sure that their discussions promoted inclusive psychological well being companies for deaf girls and ladies.
Ms Ramatu Ochekliye, Founder of Shades of Us, mentioned storytelling and movie may problem stereotypes and enhance understanding of the experiences of individuals with disabilities.
Ochekliye mentioned her organisation was partnering with DWAI to make psychological well being data accessible by means of Nigerian Sign Language and create protected areas for shared experiences and psychosocial assist.
She mentioned the organisation’s movie, “The Dumps”, addressed psychological well being and suicidal ideation, whereas its Mobile Cinema challenge took movies and neighborhood discussions to completely different communities.
The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs Binta Bello, mentioned deaf girls had been susceptible to trafficking, abuse and exploitation due to communication boundaries.
Bello, represented by her Technical Assistant, Mr Timothy Timat, recounted the case of a Nigerian deaf girl who was trafficked throughout a number of African international locations and subjected to abuse earlier than she was rescued and returned to Nigeria.
She mentioned NAPTIP had adopted an open-door coverage for individuals with disabilities, supported by its incapacity coverage, to make sure that deaf girls may entry help with out communication boundaries.
Bello mentioned the precept of “nothing about us without us” ought to information insurance policies and programmes affecting individuals with disabilities. (NAN)
Edited by Tosin Kolade
