Prof. Charity Takyun Calls for Institutional Strengthening to Combat Rising Mental Illness Cases
A Professor of Medical and Health Psychology at the Federal University of Lafia, Prof. Charity Justin Takyun, has urged governments at all levels to prioritize institutional strengthening and capacity development as essential measures to tackle the increasing prevalence of mental illness in Nigeria.
Prof. Takyun made this call while delivering the 40th Inaugural Lecture of the Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, speaking on the topic: “Navigating Life Challenges, Understanding and Addressing Mental Illness.”
During her lecture, Prof. Takyun explained that mental illness is closely tied to societal factors, particularly prolonged negative emotions and persistent stressors. She highlighted how psychological trauma from insecurity, unemployment, poverty, and suicide driven by various stressors can accumulate and trigger mental illness when adequate protective factors are absent.
“The psychological trauma of insecurity is even worse. Unemployment, poverty, people committing suicide because of one stressor or the other. And when these stressors accumulate without adequate protective factors, they can trigger the onset of mental illness,” she stated.
The professor emphasized that mental illness not only devastates affected individuals but also places heavy burdens on families and society at large. She stressed the need for governments, relevant agencies, and authorities to establish efficient systems providing proactive and sustained therapeutic care, counseling services, and appropriate medical attention for persons living with mental illnesses.
Despite advances in medical science and psychology, Prof. Takyun noted an exponential increase in mental health concerns, underscoring the urgency of intervention.
Prof. Takyun presented comprehensive recommendations at individual, institutional, and societal levels, including:
- Developing help-seeking behavior and encouraging utilization of counseling and support services within schools, workplaces, and community centers
- Engaging in meaningful activities that provide a sense of purpose
- Developing healthy coping strategies, including problem-solving skills, stress management, and emotional regulation
- Adopting healthy lifestyle practices such as avoiding substance use, ensuring adequate sleep, maintaining balanced nutrition, and engaging in regular physical activity
- Promoting work-life balance and reasonable expectations in academic and workplace settings
- Looking out for one another, especially during periods of environmental, social, or economic stress
- Encouraging and maintaining mentorship structures
“Life challenges are inevitable, but mental illness is not,” Prof. Takyun concluded, emphasizing that early recognition, prevention, and evidence-based psychological intervention can preserve mental well-being, stabilize families, and enhance productivity.
Prof. Josephine Odey, chairman of the University’s inaugural lecture committee, called for a collective and coordinated approach to addressing social vices and harmful practices that can trigger or worsen mental illness. She identified drug abuse, sexual violence, and domestic violence as major contributing factors.
“We are in an era of confusion, whether we like it or not. Taking shortcuts to everything and this, to a large extent, leads to self-destruction, negative consequences that affect mental health,” Prof. Odey remarked. She described Prof. Takyun as the best qualified to speak on the topic and proffer solutions as both a mother and a professional in medical and health psychology.
The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, Prof. Shehu Abdul Rahman, described the lecture as timely and instructive, particularly at a time when mental illness remains widely linked to superstition and traditional beliefs in many societies.
