Nigerian Army moves to begin treating troops for mental disorders

The Nigerian Army on Tuesday held a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) seminar to address the prevalent cases of PTSD among troops.

The seminar with the theme, “Mental Health Awareness, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Perspective” was organised by the Army Headquarters Department of Transformation and Innovation.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, said that PTSD often results from their engagements in various operations within and outside the country.

He said that the myriads of emerging security threats in the country had necessitated security agencies to deploy troops in various operations to contain the situation.

Yahaya, who was represented by the Chief of Operations (Army), Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Akinjobi, said that the operations exert significant pressure on the troops.

He said that their involvement in those operations had resultant effect of high casualty rates, injuries, damage to equipment and accumulated stress as well as other mental disorders such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

According to him, this maiden Seminar is a step in the right direction to raise awareness to address Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder amongst troops.

“And this is in consonance with my command’s philosophy of prioritising the Nigerian soldier.

“It is envisaged that drawing the awareness of disorder at strategic level will help in the formulation of the right strategy for the management of affected troops welfare and administration.

“Subsequently, Phase two of the seminar will focus on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder awareness and management campaigns to units and formations in various operational theatres.

“This is premised on our bid to realise my vision which is “to have a Professional Nigerian Army Ready to Accomplish Assigned Missions within a Joint Environment in Defence of Nigeria.

“I, therefore, urge you all to make conscious effort to pick new creative ideas in this Seminar that could impact positively in our performance in the field,” he said.

The COAS commended officers and soldiers for their loyalty and performances in the various theatres and promised to continue to provide the resources and direction required for them to succeed.

The Chief of Transformation and Innovation, Maj.-Gen. Charles Ofoche, said that the purpose of the seminar was to create awareness on the increasing incidences of Acute Stress Reaction, Acute Stress Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder amongst the troops and its effects on military operations.

Ofoche said that the seminar would also offer strategies for managing the Syndrome in line with the COAS -Vision of having “A professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defense of Nigeria.”

He said that Nigerian army intended to draw awareness of commanders to the stress syndrome to achieve reduced operational risks, increased efficiency, and improved operational effectiveness.

“There is no doubt that this forum will provide us the necessary and needed opportunity to freely interact, discuss, share ideas and rub minds on issues relating to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder particularly towards achieving the objectives of this Seminar.

“Ultimately, at the end of the Seminar we want to be able to match Theory with Practice. The Seminar is intended to be very interactive to solicit no pharmaceutical discussions on global best practices for the management of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder cases,” he said

(NAN)