MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK: HON CELIA URGES DIASPORANS TO DETOX

Oru Leonard

Special Adviser to the Imo State Governor on Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Celia Osakwe- Hibbert, has urged Imolites in Diaspora to detox and leave healthy habits to keep their mental health fit.

Hon Celia gave the advices as the 10th of May begins the Mental Health Awareness week which will end on the 16th of May, with this year’s themed ‘Connect With Nature’. Research shows that spending quality time with nature can reduce stress, balance your mood and help with positive feelings.

A statement from the Media  the Unit of Imo State Governor on Diaspora Affairs noted that it is crucial for the Office of the Imo State Governor on Diaspora to help with raising this awareness in view of all the depressing events that have occurred recently.

“Spreading of despondent news from home can really affect the mental Health of Imo Diasporans as well as citizens at home”, Osakwe-Hibbert said.

The Special Adviser to Imo State Governor on Diaspora Affairs, therefore seizes this opportunity to urge Imolites in Diaspora to *DETOX* by:

A) Connect with nature. Drop your phones. Take a walk. Don’t forward emotionally harmful messages.

B) Connect with nature. Join a community outdoor event. Help to organise one. Help to promote one.

C) Connect with nature. Watch TV programmes that talks about aquatic lives, climate, gardens, farms, animals, bike riding, hiking etc

Officially also, the Mental Health Foundation, which launched Mental Health Awareness Week 21 years ago, is calling on people to do three things for this year’s Awareness week.

1. Experience Nature by getting out and about.

2. Share Nature by taking a photo or video and posting on social media using the hashtags #ConnectWithNature and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.

3. Talk About Nature with family and Friends.

For more information about Mental Health Awareness Week, please visit the Mental Health America (mhanational.org) or
www.mentalhealth.org.uk.

If you are in Imo State please contact Dr. Mrs. Okereke, Special Adviser to the Imo State Governor on Health.