The Board of Fellows of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (BOF-PSN) has announced plans to hold a special Mental Health Lecture in commemoration of World Mental Health Day 2025, as part of its commitment to advancing public health awareness and addressing the growing concerns surrounding mental health and substance use disorders in Nigeria.

The event, themed “Broken Minds, Hidden Bottles: The Double Burden of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder,” is scheduled to hold on Friday, October 24, 2025, via Zoom from 4:00p.m. to 6:00p.m. The virtual lecture can be accessed using Zoom ID: 886 0777 3344 with Passcode: BOF.

The lecture will feature an impressive lineup of distinguished panelists including Pharm. (Prof.) Oluwatoyin A. Odeku; Pharm. (Prof.) Azuka C. Oparah; Pharm. Alh. Budah Mohammed Yaro, and Pharm. Azubike Okwor, with Pharm. (Prof.) Noel N. Wannang serving as the moderator.

Speaking ahead of the event, the National Chairman of the Board of Fellows, Pharm. Uchenna U. Apakama, FPSN, emphasized the urgency of addressing the double challenge of mental illness and substance abuse within the Nigerian society.

“Mental health has become one of the most pressing public health issues of our time,” Pharm. Apakama said. “Unfortunately, the growing prevalence of substance use disorders has worsened the situation, creating a double burden that affects individuals, families, and communities across the nation.”

He noted that the lecture is designed to foster open conversations around mental wellness, addiction, and the role of pharmacists in community-based interventions.

“Pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals in Nigeria. This lecture seeks to reposition the pharmacy profession as a frontline player in the identification, counseling, and referral of individuals dealing with mental health challenges and substance use,” he added.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in every eight people globally is living with a mental health disorder, a figure that has risen due to economic pressures, social isolation, and the post-pandemic impact. In Nigeria, experts have raised concerns over the rising rate of drug and alcohol dependency, especially among young people.

Pharm. Apakama stressed that addressing mental health requires a holistic and compassionate approach that combines professional care, community education, and policy support. “There is no health without mental health,” he declared. “As professionals, we must continue to raise awareness, dispel stigma, and create avenues for early intervention. This lecture is one of our contributions toward that national effort.”

The BOF-PSN Mental Health Lecture aligns with the World Mental Health Day 2025 global theme, which promotes collective responsibility in ensuring mental well-being for all. It will provide an intellectual and professional platform for pharmacists, psychologists, mental health advocates, students, and the general public to discuss practical strategies for managing the dual challenge of mental health and substance abuse in Nigeria.

The session promises to be both enlightening and inspiring, reinforcing the BOF-PSN’s enduring message: #NoHealthWithoutMentalHealth