The Oyo State Government, through the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board (OYSPHCB), in partnership with the Asido Foundation, has called for greater inclusion of people with lived experience in mental healthcare planning and service delivery to improve the quality of care and address stigma and discrimination.
The call was made on Wednesday during the 2026 World Mental Health Day commemoration held at Tamunominini Hall, Ibadan North-East Local Government Area of Oyo State, under the theme, “ *Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.”*
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Muideen Olatunji, emphasised the need to prioritise mental health as an essential component of overall well-being.
He called for increased public awareness, early identification of mental health concerns and improved access to appropriate care through primary healthcare facilities.
Olatunji noted that effective mental healthcare must reflect the needs, experiences and dignity of affected individuals.
He stressed that listening to people with lived experience would help healthcare providers deliver more responsive and inclusive services.
He further highlighted the need to integrate mental health promotion, early identification, referrals and support services into routine primary healthcare delivery to ensure that individuals experiencing mental health challenges receive timely and appropriate assistance.
In her remarks, Director of Family Health, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Zainab Hamzat, highlighted the importance of open conversations about mental health.
She called for the creation of supportive environments where individuals can freely share their experiences and seek help without fear of judgement, stigma or discrimination.
Hamzat noted that sustained mental health education would help correct misconceptions, reduce stigma and encourage people to seek professional assistance.
She also emphasised the importance of collaboration among government agencies, healthcare professionals, development partners and communities.
In her goodwill message, the Programme Manager of the Asido Foundation, Dr. Toluwalope Orotoye, stressed the role of partnerships in strengthening mental health advocacy and public education.
She called for greater recognition of the experiences of people living with mental health conditions.
In his goodwill message, the Director of Special Duties, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Abiodun Akande, called for collective action to address mental health challenges.
He highlighted the roles of government institutions, healthcare providers, families and community leaders in ensuring that affected individuals receive appropriate support.
Delivering a paper titled “Lived Experience: Patients at the Centre of Care,” a consultant psychiatrist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and the Asido Foundation, Dr. Oyeyemi Afolabi, emphasised the importance of incorporating patients’ experiences and perspectives into mental healthcare planning and service delivery.
He also highlighted the role of people with lived experience as valuable contributors to advocacy, service improvement and policy development.
Participants were encouraged to challenge stigma, discrimination and harmful misconceptions that prevent people from seeking mental health services.
They were also urged to promote empathy, respect confidentiality and treat affected individuals with dignity.
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