WMHD: Target 6 to 8 hours of sleep daily for sound mental health -Expert

By Luka Yelmi, Bauchi

A Psychiatrist at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, Dr. Yakub Fauwaz Farouq, has said adequate sleep, stress management and controlled use of social media are critical to maintaining sound mental health.

Dr. Farouq stated this in Bauchi on Saturday during an event to mark World Mental Health Day, organised by PLAN International in collaboration with the Bauchi State Government with funding from Global Affairs Canada.

He said adults must learn to know themselves, recognise when they are stressed and take time to rest.

“To manage yourself, you need to know yourself first. If you know yourself, you know when you are stressed. When you are stressed, please find time and rest,” he advised.

“Our brains are refreshed by sleeping. It is just like a computer that is misbehaving, you restart it. When we sleep, it is like we are restarting our brain. Ideally, you should sleep at least six to eight hours every night, uninterrupted,” he said.

The Senior Registrar also cautioned against excessive use of social media and urged Nigerians to go for regular mental health check-ups, even without obvious symptoms.

“If you have any change in your thinking, in your feeling and in your behaviour, please seek medical help as early as possible. Most mental illnesses do not arise just like that. They give alarming signs before they become full-blown,” he added.

He urged family members to advocate for psychological assessment and intervention for loved ones who show behavioural changes but lack insight to seek help.