Courtesy Visit to Attorney Ejike Obike – Supporting Mental Health Advocacy in Umuahia South LGA

On Friday, 27th September 2024, the BanStopPrevent Field Research Team, led by Dr. Christian Abuajah, Field Coordinator/Team Lead, paid a courtesy visit to Attorney Ejike Obike, Mayor of Umuahia South LGA, at the LGA Secretariat in Apumiri Ubakala. The visit aimed to brief Attorney Obike, a key figure in the ongoing BanStopPrevent Advocacy Project, a collaboration between Walk347 and NAS Magna Carta, Hertfordshire, UK. The project is currently conducting a pilot field survey in the Ubakala communities of Mgbarakuma, Nsukwe, and Apumiri, focusing on generating vital data regarding mental health services, current practices, and areas for improvement.

Attorney Obike warmly welcomed the team and expressed his appreciation for selecting Umuahia South LGA as a focal point for this important research. He recognized the significance of addressing mental health issues within the community and pledged his full support to the project. Notably, he didn't just highlight the growing concern of substance abuse among young people in his jurisdiction, but he also called for a targeted effort by BanStopPrevent to address this pressing issue, warning that failure to intervene could lead to the erosion of the active age group in society.

In his commendation, Attorney Obike lauded Walk347 and NAS Magna Carta for their humanitarian focus and dedication to tackling such an urgent challenge. He praised the initiative as a remarkable endeavour that reaches beyond borders to improve the lives of vulnerable populations.

The visit also included the formal submission of a project introduction letter to the Mayor, further solidifying the collaboration between the project team and the local administration. This engagement reflects the ongoing efforts of Walk347 and NAS Magna Carta to build strong partnerships with key stakeholders in the region as they work to advance mental health advocacy and deliver meaningful change through data-driven insights.

Stay tuned as BanStopPrevent continues its crucial work to reshape mental health care practices in Ubakala and beyond.

#MentalHealthAdvocacy #Walk347 #BanStopPrevent #CommunitySupport #NASMagnaCarta #SubstanceAbusePrevention #MentalHealthCare #Collaboration #DataDrivenChange

Christian Abuajah, PhD
is the Field Coordinator/Team Lead of the BanStopPrevent Mental Health Advocacy Project Field Researchers.