The Founder and Executive Director of Starburg Empowerment Foundation, Comrade Gloria Bakare, has called for an end to mental health stigma and discrimination, urging stakeholders to amplify the voices of people with lived experiences and expand access to professional mental health support.
Bakare made the call in commemoration of World Mental Health Day 2026, themed “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.”
She emphasised the need to actively involve people with lived experiences of mental health challenges in developing policies, programmes, and services aimed at promoting their well-being.
According to her, stigma, misconceptions, and discrimination continue to prevent many people from speaking openly about their mental health struggles and seeking appropriate care.
She noted that mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, social status, or economic circumstances, emphasising the need for greater understanding, inclusion, and compassion.
“We must replace prejudice with understanding, rejection with inclusion, and silence with meaningful conversations,” Bakera said.
She reaffirmed Starburg Empowerment Foundation’s commitment to promoting mental health awareness, empowering vulnerable individuals, challenging harmful stereotypes, and encouraging access to professional care.
Bakera also called on government agencies, healthcare providers, educational institutions, religious organisations, families, and civil society groups to strengthen collaboration in promoting mental health education and creating safe environments where people can seek help without fear of discrimination.
She emphasised that mental health support is a shared responsibility, noting that families, friends, and community members can make a difference by listening without judgment, showing empathy, and encouraging those experiencing difficulties to seek appropriate assistance.
“Every voice matters. Every story deserves respect. And every life has value,” she stated.
Bakera urged stakeholders to translate awareness into practical action, stressing that listening to people with lived experiences is essential to building inclusive communities where mental health is prioritised, and individuals can seek support with dignity.
She called for sustained advocacy and collective commitment to ensure that mental health challenges are met with understanding rather than stigma, and that no one is excluded from care and support because of their condition.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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