The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Garden City celebrated its 11th anniversary with the launch of a Mental health awareness campaign tagged: ‘Speak Out! Take Charge of Your Mental Health.’
Established in the year 2013 from its mother Club, the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt, the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Garden City has contributed immensely upholding the Rotary seven areas of focus.
This it has done having carried out humanitarian service projects in disease prevention and treatment, Maternal and Child Health, water sanitation and hygiene, peace and conflict resolution, economic development and empowerment, basic education and literacy and the environment.
President of the Club, Rtn. Karina Igonikon noted that the celebration of the 11th anniversary of the club is important as it club have strived to meet its objectives despite the harsh economic climate in the country and is committed to do more.
“It has been 11 years of serving humanity and positively impacting lives through our humanitarian projects. It has not been an easy ride especially with the hyper-inflation and impact of the exchange rate in our country but we still take on the sacrifice to make a difference in our community. For this we thank all our partners who have supported us and we intend to do more.” She says.
Rtn. Karina Igonikon added that the club decided to launch its mental health campaign in line with Rotary President Gordon McInally’s call for Rotary Clubs round the world to raise awareness on mental health issues so as to remove the stigma associated with it, so people with mental health issues can get the help they need.
Desk Officer on Mental Health with the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Sandra Abolo lauded the campaign as one that is most needed and shared efforts by the Rivers State Government in providing good mental health services. These include:
Repealing the mental/lunacy law,
creation of the Mental health desk at the Ministry of Health to advocate and raise awareness as they collaborate with civil society organisations interested in mental health.
Designing an app for mental health, which when launched would provide easy access to persons to get access to counselling on mental health issues.
Dr. Abolo enjoined everyone to regularly evaluate their mental health, manage stress and be kind.
An award of Excellence was presented to the Director Public Health, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Eze Dr. Golden Owhonda for his contribution in designing Covid-19 Testing Cubicles during the Covid-19 pandemic.
High point was the cutting of the 11th anniversary cake and induction of four new members to the club, including the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Rtn. Ichemati Maxwell Mbadiwe, a former member who was re-admitted into the club and Dr. Sandra Abolo.
