The Abia State House of Assembly Chief Whip and Chairman of the Abia State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Hon. Emeka Tommy Obioma, has reaffirmed the commitment of the legislature to strengthening mental health systems in the state, declaring that mental wellness is a critical component of community development and must be treated with utmost seriousness.
This assurance came on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, as the BanStopPrevent Mental Health Research Committee, led by Dr. Christian Ahuajah, formally presented its groundbreaking research report to the House Committee on Health.
The report, titled “Understanding Perceptions, Practices, and Opportunities for Reform in Apumiri, Mgbarakuma, and Nsukwe Communities of Umuahia South LGA, Abia State, Nigeria,” offers a comprehensive analysis of community experiences, traditional responses, and opportunities for reform in mental health care.
The study, conducted across the three communities, examined how residents understand mental health challenges, the community and traditional structures they rely on, and the gaps that hinder access to professional support. Its findings are expected to serve as a major reference point for policy reviews and grassroots mental health interventions in Abia State.
Receiving the delegation at the Assembly Complex, Hon. Obioma warmly welcomed the research team and applauded their effort, noting that the project aligns with the strategic priorities of the House Committee on Health.
According to him, the committee had been actively engaged with the initiative since its inception.
“This is not a report we are seeing for the first time,” Obioma said. “From the early stages of awareness creation to community mobilization, the House Committee on Health supported and encouraged this process. We made sure our people in Mgbarakuma, Apumiri, and Nsukwe were sensitized and participated fully.”
The lawmaker further emphasized the importance of treating mental health as a societal issue that requires collective responsibility.
“Mental health must be taken seriously in Abia State,” he stressed. “As a House, we are fully ready to partner with this initiative and translate these findings into practical legislative actions that will improve the mental health support system for our people.”
Obioma highlighted that the study’s grassroots-focused methodology makes it particularly valuable for shaping government interventions.
“This report is different because it comes directly from the people,” he remarked. “The perspectives and lived realities captured here give us the right foundation to push for reforms that truly reflect the needs of our communities.”
He also reiterated the Assembly’s readiness to collaborate with stakeholders, health professionals, and civil society groups to strengthen mental health advocacy and integrate evidence-based solutions into state health policies.
The presentation of the research report marks another significant milestone in the ongoing push for improved mental health services in Abia State. Stakeholders expressed optimism that the partnership between the Assembly and the BanStopPrevent initiative will accelerate policy implementation and increase the visibility of mental health challenges at the grassroots.
In attendance at the meeting were the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie Nmeregini (Ugolee); Hon. Roland Caesar; Hon. Barr. Enyinnaya Nwosu; the Deputy Mayor of Umuahia South; and several other distinguished guests, community leaders, and health advocates.
With Hon. Obioma’s reaffirmed commitment, the stage appears set for a more integrated, evidence-driven mental health reform framework in Abia State.
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