First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for the active involvement of people living with mental health conditions in formulating policies and delivering healthcare services that affect their lives, insisting their voices must count in decisions about their well-being.
She also urged communities and relevant stakeholders to intensify efforts towards eliminating the stigma associated with mental health conditions while promoting accessible, community-based healthcare services that protect the dignity and rights of affected individuals.
Mrs. Tinubu made the call on Saturday in her message commemorating the 2026 World Mental Health Day, observed globally on October 10, under the theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”.
The First Lady emphasised that individuals who have experienced mental health challenges possess invaluable knowledge and perspectives that should inform the development and implementation of mental healthcare policies and programmes.
According to her, meaningful inclusion requires moving beyond simply giving affected people opportunities to recount their experiences to ensuring their contributions shape decisions and interventions designed to improve their wellbeing.
“Today, on World Mental Health Day 2026, observed under the theme, ‘Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,’ we recognise the invaluable knowledge and perspectives of people with lived experience of mental health conditions.
“Their participation must extend beyond sharing personal stories to meaningfully influence the policies, services, and decisions that affect their lives,” she stated.
The First Lady maintained that listening to individuals with firsthand experience of mental health challenges would help promote a more inclusive and responsive approach to mental healthcare.
She stressed the need for communities to challenge negative perceptions and discriminatory attitudes towards people living with mental health conditions, while encouraging greater understanding and respect for their rights.
“Communities should listen to their perspectives more, challenge stigma, and promote accessible, community-based mental healthcare that respects the dignity, rights, and needs of every individual”, Mrs Tinubu said.
She reaffirmed the importance of recognising affected individuals’ experiences in building a society where mental healthcare is accessible, inclusive, and respectful of human dignity.
She wished Nigerians a happy World Mental Health Day.