The Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine University of Ibadan (CoMUI) and the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, in collaboration with the Family Support Group, oganised a symposium on Friday, September 9, to celebrate the 2026 World Mental Health Day. The symposium was themed “Building Person-Centred Mental Health Services.”
The event, held at the Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre, was chaired by Emeritus Professor Oye Gureje, Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, Neuroscience and Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. He officially declared the event open and was accompanied to the hall by his wife, Mrs Bola Gureje. He founded the Family Support Group eighteen years ago.
The celebration attracted members of the management teams of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI), and the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan prominent among which were the Provost of CoMUI, Professor T. O. Ogundiran, represented by Professor A. A. Odukogbe; the Chief Medical Director of UCH, Professor J. A. Otegbayo, represented by Professor T. A. O. Oluwasola; the Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Professor T. A. Lawal, represented by Dr Mary Ugalahi and the Head of Psychiatry Department, Professor V. Olasebikan.
Also in attendance were deans of other faculties, directors of institutes, heads of departments and units, teaching and non-teaching staff, people who have lived experiences and members of the press.
In her keynote address titled “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” Professor Bibilola Oladeji, the Co-Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre, University of Ibadan, commended Professors Gureje and Olayinka Omigbodun for their selfless service and outstanding roles in combating stigma associated with mental illness. She emphasised the importance of raising awareness and encouraging people with lived experiences to speak up in order to influence policies. She explained that this informed the decision to organise the symposium to enlighten the public and promote better understanding of mental health issues. She also argued that mental illness can be treated through appropriate medical care.
She further explained that World Mental Health Day is observed annually on 10 October, but the celebration was held on 9 October this year because 10 October fell on a public holiday. “We want to move beyond listening to action. People with lived experiences should work together with healthcare providers to make care effective and efficient,” she said.
In his presentation at the symposium, Dr O. Ayinde emphasised the importance of physicians providing person-centred mental health services that put patients at the heart of care. He stressed the need to involve patients in decisions about their care, stating, “The patient is more than a diagnosis. Nothing for us without us. " According to him, research revealed that the proportion of healthcare providers who give patients important information to enable them participate in their care was lower than that of native doctors whose counsel could sometimes mislead patients.
The event also featured goodwill messages from the Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Professor T. O. Ogundiran; the Chief Medical Director of University College Hospital, Professor J. A. Otegbayo; the former Provost of CoMUl and the first female Nigerian Professor of Psychiatry, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun; and the Head of the Department of Psychiatry, Professor V. Olasebikan.
In their goodwill messages, the speakers emphasised the need for collaboration among healthcare professionals, patients and families to build effective, inclusive and person-centred mental health services. They also highlighted the importance of family support, public awareness and recognising people with lived experiences of mental health conditions as active participants in decisions about their care, while urging stakeholders to translate discussions into practical actions that promote dignity, inclusion and better health outcomes.
A major highlight of the event was a panel discussion featuring four people with lived experiences of mental health conditions, comprising three females and one male, moderated by Dr. Yetunde C. Adeniyi and Dr. Toluwalope A. Orotoye. The panellists shared their personal experiences during periods of mental illness, the challenges they faced, their relationships with healthcare providers and suggestion for improving healthcare outcomes in future.
They recommended the inclusion of mental health education in secondary school curriculum emphasising that there is no health without mental health. They also called for patient-centred care that addresses individual needs and gives patients the opportunity to be heard. In addition, they urged the government to subsidise the cost of medications and healthcare services for people with mental health conditions, while establishing appropriate measures to prevent the abuse of such support. They further recommended the empowerment of people recovering from mental illness after rehabilitation to support their reintegration into society and promote their independence.
In his closing remarks, Emeritus Professor Gureje appreciated the sustained efforts of the CoMUI and UCH management teams in ensuring quality healthcare outcomes over the years. He, however, encouraged them not to relent in their efforts to put structures in place to ensure the continuous delivery of quality healthcare services.
He summarised the issues raised during the panel discussion into four categories: individual, organisational, institutional and government policy issues. He noted that addressing these issues would help improve mental healthcare and build stronger communities.
The event ended with a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Abimbola Atanda.