Majek Fashek says people with mental illness have great potentials, talents

Popular legendary reggae artist, Majek Fashek, says mental health is very important in the lives of people and a nation as mentally derailed people have great potentials and talents.

The singer who spoke at the 46th Annual General Conference and Scientific Meeting of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, APN, in Lagos on Wednesday, said, ‘mental health is not a yardstick to look down upon people.’

Speaking based on the theme: Mental Health as a Driver for Positive Change, Fashek said, “There is need to create a system to manage or rehabilitate people who are not mentally balanced and as well create more awareness on mental health challenges and appropriate management.

“Government should look into how to rehabilitate mental health patients as most of them have great potentials and talents’’, Fashek added.

In the same vein, Dr. Richard Adebayo, the Acting Medical Director, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, said mental health Act was necessary in the country.

Adebayo, added that mental health was integral to the stability of every nation.