By Mene Prosper
The Association for Counselling, Matchmaking, and Psychotherapy of Nigeria (ACMPN) has urged Nigerians to consult the services of a psychotherapist, mental health counsellors, and therapists, among others often in a bid to embrace healthy living, stay out of loneliness and other mental health issues.
The association in commemoration of the mental health awareness week with the theme “loneliness”, held a press conference at the Lekki Central Mosque on Friday 13th of May 2022 to sensitize Nigerians on the need to be more concerned about their mental health.
The press conference is part of the long week of activities in which visitation to the mosque and church is also part. After the press conference, the association embarked on an awareness walk starting from the mosque in a bid to sensitize the public on mental health.
Some of the members present are Dr. Tolulope Oko-Igaire, ACMPN president. Tosin Olusola, ACMPN secretary, Theodora Okafor, a professional mental health counsellor, and Sarah Agbelusi, a certified child and adolescent psychotherapist, amongst others.
According to Oko-Igaire, the association is non-governmental and non-profit-oriented. Its members are professionals who are passionate and dedicated to helping humanity.
The association’s aim and the objective is to restore excellence to the mental health profession by creating a platform where professional mental health counsellors, therapists, psychotherapists and matchmakers are easily accessible all year round by those who need their services at no cost. By so doing people will function optimally to the benefit of all.
The benefits are available to all both in the developed and undeveloped areas in Nigeria. As a result, sensitization exercises were not only held on the island but also in some areas on the mainland such as Ikorodu and Alagbado respectively.
She explained that contrary tothe belief that therapy is only meant for the weak and low self-esteemed people, “It is a misconception to think that people who go for therapy are of low self-esteem or weak. Rather it is only the strong-willed that admit they have problems because it takes strength to admit one has a problem.
In response to the gruesome killing of the Sokoto Christian student on the ground of blasphemy recently, she said.
“That is why we chose Lekki central mosque for our sensitization exercise. Our association is inter-religious because we have Muslims as members. One of our Muslim members, Hajia is currently heading the conference in the mosque. I felt really bad about that.
It is a problem of the mind. We need cognitive reconditioning as Africans. So for that, we are doing our bit to ensure everyone is mentally aware to act optimally for the good of all.”
ACMPN has differentiated itself and stands out from others by operating a multi-disciplined; inter-religious and service-free organisation saddened with the task of ensuring mental sanity amongst all.
ACMPN is established to identify, develop and maintain professional standards of excellence in counselling, matchmaking and psychotherapy. Its work promotes best practice and the development of the profession as well as safeguards the public. It is also the link between those who are looking for services in the areas of counselling, matchmaking & psychotherapy and those who provide such professional services. In addition, it set and maintains practice and training standards, and provides a forum where members may exchange ideas, information, techniques, and methodologies.
Establishing itself apart from the rest is a multi-disciplined association, which specializes in holistic techniques, ACMPN’s membership also includes medical practitioners, psychologists, clinical social workers, coaches, stress consultants, NLP practitioners, clergy, educators, mental health therapists, and others in the helping, healing sector, as well as those providing matchmaking services, which is crucial for relationship health and wellbeing.
