Residents of Osogbo have raised concerns over the increasing presence of mentally ill individuals on major roads in the town. Many have called on the Osun State Government to take immediate action to rehabilitate them or return them to their states of origin.
Speaking with reporters on Monday, several residents described the situation as worrisome. Mr. Biola Awosun, a resident, attributed the rise in mental health cases to drug abuse and diabolic activities. He urged the government to act swiftly to evacuate these individuals for both their safety and that of the community.
Another resident, Mrs. Adenike Faponda, a trader at Ejigbo Motor Park, suggested that many of the mentally unstable individuals had been brought in from other states. She emphasized the need for the government to place them in psychiatric homes where they could receive proper rehabilitation.
Dr. Andrew Dosunmu, a psychologist and founder of Psychcare Foundation, a non-governmental organization, attributed the rising cases of mental illness in Osogbo to drug abuse. He explained that the introduction of new psychotropic substances has significantly contributed to the growing number of mental health disorders.
According to Dosunmu, mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression, and childhood developmental disorders are prevalent, but addiction-related mental disorders among the youth are particularly alarming.
“The rate of drug-induced mental illness is very high, especially among adolescents and young adults aged 16 to 45. The influx of synthetic and non-synthetic drugs in society is exacerbating the problem,” he stated.
Dosunmu further linked the increase in drug abuse-related mental health cases to poor family backgrounds and lack of parental supervision.
Ms. Dunmilola Akinola, a nurse at Asubiaro Hospital in Osogbo, acknowledged the government’s efforts in addressing the issue. However, she urged the state’s task force officers to intensify efforts in evacuating mentally ill persons from public spaces.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has reassured residents that it is actively working to remove mentally unstable individuals from the streets and provide them with necessary rehabilitation. Mr. Richard Oyegbami, the Permanent Secretary of the Osun Ministry of Environment, stated that the Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Special Needs, is making concerted efforts to rehabilitate mentally ill individuals.
“The government is not just watching; we are taking necessary steps to ensure that mentally ill people are taken off the streets and placed in rehabilitation centers,” Oyegbami affirmed.
The increasing presence of mentally ill persons on Osogbo’s streets is a growing concern for residents. While drug abuse and societal challenges contribute to the crisis, residents and experts alike are calling for more proactive government intervention to ensure safety and proper rehabilitation for affected individuals.
