Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies
Every year, on October 10, the world unites to mark World Mental Health Day — a day dedicated to raising awareness, breaking stigma, and advocating for better access to mental health care for all. The 2025 global theme, “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,” highlights the urgent need to make mental health support available, especially during crises that disrupt lives, communities, and systems of care.
Across the world, millions experience psychological distress triggered by wars, natural disasters, economic instability, and displacement. During such times, emotional wounds often go unseen, and mental health services become even harder to access. Yet, mental health is not a luxury — it is a fundamental part of human wellbeing and recovery.
At PAMHI Foundation, we recognise that in the wake of catastrophe, the right care at the right time can make all the difference. Our mission has always been to bridge the gap between need and access, ensuring that individuals — regardless of their background or circumstance — can receive the mental health support they deserve.
PAMHI Foundation and Oyo State Ministry of Health: A Collaborative Step Forward
This year, we proudly collaborated with the Oyo State Ministry of Health for the state’s inaugural celebration of World Mental Health Day — a historic milestone in promoting mental wellness in our community.
To commemorate the day, our team joined other stakeholders, mental health advocates, and community members in a city-wide awareness march across Ibadan, spreading the message that mental health care should be accessible to everyone, everywhere. The energy, unity, and passion that filled the streets of Ibadan reflected a shared commitment to destigmatise mental illness and encourage help-seeking behaviour.
Expanding Access Through Tiered Mental Health Services
As part of the New World Health Group, PAMHI Foundation remains deeply committed to promoting accessible and affordable mental health care. One of the ways we make this possible is through our tiered facility access system — a model that ensures individuals, irrespective of their socioeconomic status, can find a level of care that fits their needs and resources.
From community-based counselling and rehabilitation to specialised psychiatric and substance use treatment, we believe that no one should be left behind in the pursuit of wellness.
Looking Ahead
The theme of this year’s celebration challenges us all — government bodies, private institutions, and individuals — to strengthen systems that prioritise mental health in both everyday life and emergencies. At PAMHI Foundation, we reaffirm our commitment to compassionate, inclusive, and sustainable mental health advocacy in Oyo State and beyond.
Because mental health care is not a privilege — it’s a right.
