Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative (SURPIN) of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and the Institute of Public Health (IPH), Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, OAU organized a one-day medicoreligious workshop on mental healthcare collaboration for Christian clergies and Islamic clerics on the recognition of the risk factors and prevention of suicide among all persons on 23rd October, 2017 @ the Mini Auditorium, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, OAUTHC, Ile Ife, Osun state. It was in commemoration of the World Suicide Prevention Day 2017.
The preparations started with discussions between IPH Director, Prof. Ayodeji A Onayade, Dr. Macellina Y. Ijadunola and SURPIN Coordinator Dr. R.E. Ogbolu about the training proposal, objectives, and logistics.
Christian clerics were chosen by the executives of Christian Association of Nigeria from Ife Central and Ife East Local Government Area while the Islamic clerics were chosen by the Chief Imam of Ife land and his secretaries. Participants were also selected based on their ability to read, write and communicate in English language. Publicity for the event was through the use of banners and through radio announcement in form of jingles and in the news at Orisun FM, a subsidiary of Osun State Broadcasting Corporation located in Ile-Ife. Attendance was however strictly by invitation.
The facilitators of the workshop were drawn from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Lagos University Teaching Hospital and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. The facilitators were specialists in the field of Mental Health, Public Health and Social Work, and included Drs. Raphael Emeka Ogbolu (Psychiatrist, LUTH/SURPIN), Oladipo A. Adepoju (Psychiatrist, LUTH/SURPIN), Boladale M. Mapayi (Clinical Psychologist and Psychiatrist OAUTH/SURPIN), Bola Ola (Psychiatrist, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH)/SURPIN), Alero Roberts who was ably represented by Dr. Doyin Ogunyemi (Public Health Physician College of Medicine University of Lagos, CMUL) and Mrs. Adebami (Social worker, OAUTH). A total of 80 participants attended and received certificates of participation. Their names are contained in the signed list of participants. The workshop started with an opening ceremony by 9:30am ably chaired by the Chief Medical Director of the OAUTHC, Ile Ife, Professor Victor A. Adetiloye, who in his opening remarks highlighted the increasing trend of suicide in Nigeria going by frequent media reportage of cases of suicide almost on a daily basis. He called for collaboration among practitioners of orthodox medicine and religious leaders to address the ugly trend.
The Chief Host of the event was the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, ably represented by the Deputy Provost, Professor Salako who also noted the high burden of risk factors for suicide in the country and the need for concerted efforts to address them. The Host of the event was the Director of the Institute of Public Health, represented by Professor Olapeju A. Esimai. She emphasized the role of Public Health and Mental Health workers in bridging the knowledge gap among religious leaders in promoting awareness on Mental Health and for early recognition and referral of patients with mental health problem for prompt and holistic care.
Sessions were delivered to the participants by the facilitators (Psychiatrists and Public Health experts) on topics such as Introduction to the key concepts of the workshop; the Health Economics of Depression and Suicide; Overview of Depression; Overview of Suicide; and the Scope of Mental Illness. Some facilitators also spoke the local Yoruba language during their presentations to drive home their message.
The panel discussion was anchored by Dr. Oladipo Adepoju. The panelists were Dr. Boladale Mapayi (Consultant Psychiatrists). Mrs. Adebami a Social worker, a representative each of Christian clergies and Islamic clerics. The topic discussed include factors in our environment and culture that precipitates depression and suicide. The factors identified include the constitution of Nigeria which criminalizes attempted suicide other than seeing them to be ill and need help. Culture was also identified to be one of the major factor that affect depression and suicidal tendencies both positively and negatively. For example, some proverbs in Yoruba land have negative effects on people who encounter misfortune. Some of the proverbs include “Iku ya jesin” which means death is preferable to stigmatization or mockery, also, “Okunrin ki ku lemeji” which literarily means that a man does not die twice. The later proverb encourages people to commit suicide when faced by some tribulations. Cultural practices which encourage gender discrimination were also identified as factors that precipitate depression among women.
The Islamic cleric said we should be our brother’s keeper and relate well with one another, and emphasized that Islam is against suicide. The Christian clergy also emphasized that Christianity is against suicide and also encourages being ones brother’s keeper. The audience were also given opportunity to share their personal experiences which support the aforementioned points.
The group discussion on faith-based approaches to suicide and depression was moderated by Dr. Boladale Mapayi. The participants were divided into three groups, each group containing a mixture of both the Clerics and Clergies via systematic random sampling using the attendance list. Each group deliberated on the same three questions:
- What has been your approach?
- What will change in your approach?
- How do we sustain this network?
Communiqué /Conclusion
After exhaustive deliberations at the end of the workshop, the participants and the facilitators resolved as follows:
- There is a need to establish a WhatsApp group for all the participants at the event.
- The IPH/SURPIN should keep database of pre- and post-test evaluation survey outcomes.
- There is a need to establish a hotline for feedback and communication with the religious leaders and members of the society.
- Training of resident doctors, nurses and community health extension workers at the Urban Comprehensive Health Center Eleyele Ile-Ife by the Department of Mental Health, OAUTHC Ile-Ife in collaboration with the Institute of Public Health (IPH) OAU on prevention of suicide and diagnosis of depression among patients for prompt referral and intervention.
- To release newsletter on medico-religious workshop recently concluded by the Institute of Public Health in collaboration with SURPIN.
- IPH/SURPIN representing Public Health and Mental Health union should collaborate to publish advocacy briefs speak against criminalization of suicide and inform the general public about Mental illnesses that are preventable and treatable.
- Dr. Macellina Ijadunola in her vote of thanks gave her sincere appreciation to the Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative (SURPIN) and LUTH for their laudable initiative and Institute of Public Health Leadership Prof. A. A. Onayade for his vision and mission to introduce community based interventions and for providing funds for the workshop. She also appreciated the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the League of Imams and Alfas both of Ife Central and Ife East Local Government Areas for their cooperation and participation, as well as all IPH staff especially Mrs. Toyin Alaba, support staff and Resident Doctors.