Expert Urges Greater Mental Health Support For Victims Of Disasters

The Head of the Department of Psychiatric, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi (ATBUTH), Dr Fawwaz Babandi, has called for increased investment in mental health services and psychosocial support for victims during emergencies and disasters across Nigeria.

Dr Babandi said this while speaking at the 2025 World Mental Health Day commemoration event organised by Plan International Nigeria in collaboration with the Bauchi State Ministry of Health.
Speaking on this year’s theme, “Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,” he highlighted the growing concern over the psychological toll of crises on affected populations.

Dr. Babandi lamented that the world, including Nigeria, is witnessing an increase in the number and scale of emergencies such as conflicts, displacement, and natural disasters, all of which have led to a surge in mental health challenges.

“Despite the rising burden, mental health responses remain inadequate in most emergency interventions,” he said.

He urged government agencies, humanitarian actors, and community-based organisations to integrate mental health care into emergency response systems, stressing that psychosocial support should not be treated as optional but as an essential component of humanitarian and health interventions.

Dr Babandi commended Plan International Nigeria and the Bauchi State Ministry of Health for organising the awareness event, saying such initiatives help draw attention to the urgent need for comprehensive mental health services, particularly for vulnerable groups affected by crises.