The Oyo State Government and the Asido Foundation have called for the inclusion of people with lived experience of mental health conditions in healthcare planning and service delivery to improve treatment outcomes and tackle stigma and discrimination.
The call was made on Wednesday during the 2026 World Mental Health Day commemoration held at Tamunominini Hall, Ibadan North-East Local Government Area, under the theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.”
The Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Muideen Olatunji, stressed the need to make mental healthcare an integral part of primary healthcare services.
Olatunji advocated increased public awareness, early identification of mental health challenges and improved access to appropriate care, noting that patients’ experiences and needs must guide the delivery of effective and compassionate services.
He also called for the integration of mental health education, referrals and support services into routine primary healthcare delivery.
Similarly, the Director of Family Health at the board, Dr. Zainab Hamzat, urged stakeholders to create supportive environments where people could discuss mental health challenges and seek professional help without fear of stigma or discrimination.
The Programme Manager of the Asido Foundation, Dr. Toluwalope Orotoye, emphasised the importance of partnerships in strengthening mental health advocacy and public education.
Also speaking, the Director of Special Duties at the board, Dr. Abiodun Akande, called for collective efforts involving government agencies, healthcare professionals, families and community leaders to support people experiencing mental health challenges.
In a presentation titled “Lived Experience: Patients at the Centre of Care,” Consultant Psychiatrist at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, and the Asido Foundation, Dr. Oyeyemi Afolabi, urged healthcare providers and policymakers to recognise patients as important contributors to mental health advocacy, policy development and service improvement.
Participants were encouraged to challenge misconceptions, promote empathy, respect confidentiality and treat people living with mental health conditions with dignity.
