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Head of Psychology Department of Lagos State University (LASU) and Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, Adewuyi Temitayo, has canvassed the use of psychological approach in the fight against insecurity across the country
The expert who spoke at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Nigerian Psychology Association (NPA) National Congress and scientific conference in Lagos, yesterday, said perpetrators of banditry and terrorism were psychologically deficient.
She asserted that such could be addressed through psychological rehabilitation.
“When the behaviour becomes abnormal, what causes it, we get to the root, treat it and bring it back to normal through rehabilitation services.”
She noted that the theme of the annual Congress, ‘Psychology, Security and Sustainable development’ was specificall chosen to rue the role of psychology in identifying security problems bedevilling the country and to proffer solutions so as to ensure sustainable development.
She said the event would host seasoned experts of various fields in security and education to share their insight on various issues that affect the society.
A former president of NPA and chairman of the occasion, Andrew Zamani said the Congress is a form of advocacy to sensitise people on the issues of life, particularly relating to mental health which he attributed to insecurity.
“People are groping in fear and anxiety, many are depressed, the rate of suicide is high, many are traumatised…these are mental health issues, and the security dimensions of these are not really considered.
“So, we want to mainstream it to let people know that mental health condition has a lot of significance in the security status of the society. In addition, we want to step up our advocacy for increased presence of psychologists in government.”
Zamani cited inefficiency of the nation’s justice system as another cause of insecurity.
“If you don’t administer justice, you offend someone and you make him a potential security threat. Provision has to be made for people to enjoy the dividend of democracy in terms of providing adequate social services and administering to the needs of people so as to ensure the sanity of their mental health.”
