A Clinical psychologist and Mental Health Therapist at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti , Dr. Dotun Ajiboye has advised Women in Management level in the public service to properly manage their emotional and physical stress levels in order to live a healthy life that is free of mental illness and depression.
Dr Ajiboye gave the advice in his paper titled: “Building Mental Resilience in the Midst of Economic Uncertainty” presented at the Annual Public Lecture organized by the Ekiti State Women in Management(WIM) to mark the 2024 annual induction of the newly recruited members of the association in Ado-Ekiti.
He explained that the uncertainties of the global and national economies and social unrest were making a lot of people vulnerable to mental stress, noting that if the situation is not properly managed, it could lead to anxiety, depression or mental illness.
According to Dr Ajiboye, economic hardship caused by debt, reduced income and uncertainty, can lead to anxiety, emotional turmoil, which can cause depression, irritability,mood swings and mental illness.
He therefore charged individuals to activate their coping abilities within the normal stresses of life, growing through challenges and turning obstacles into opportunities and devising a means for mental resilience, not avoiding challenges, but bouncing back from adversity, stress and challenging situations that may hinder emotional balancing, productivity,service delivery and total well-being.
Ajiboye proffered some strategies for maintaining good mental health during economic hardship to include: practicing self-care, engaging in physical exercises and relaxation techniques eating healthy and establishing a consistent sleep schedule.
He said another strategy to overcome stress was for people to stay connected with their community and loved ones and seek support from professionals
In her goodwill message,the State Commissioner Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Peju Babafemi, described the Women in Management (WIM) as a connecting bridge among female technocrats to fill the gap being created by frequent exiting of political heads and top technocrats from the public service in order to ensure continuity and networking.
In her Goodwill Message ,the Secretary to the State Government,Dr Habibat Adubiaro appreciated Women in Management for taking up tasks and demonstrating the capacity of women to the world.
She commended the leadership of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for giving women good representation and a level ground with their male counterparts in the State.
She urged the WIM leadership to leverage on the high number of high profile female political appointees in the State to pursue the agenda of the group.
Also speaking,the State Head of service, Dr.( Mrs) Folakemi Olomojobi admonished members to see WIM as a platform for helping and supporting one another especially members who are undergoing challenges and pains.
She urged members to always leverage on this opportunity by sharing their concerns and speaking up while passing through challenges, noting that :”a closed mouth is a closed destiny”, pleading, with members to always rise to the occasion through lifting of others by being their sister’s keeper to promote leadership skills and strengthen upcoming female officers to constructively use their potential and prepare them for leadership towards Enhancing effective service delivery.
In her address, the State Coordinator of WIM , Dr Mrs Oyeyemi Kayode -Ojo, who is the Permanent Secretary of Cabinet and Special Services Department of Governor’s Office stated that the theme for 2024 public Lecture “Resilience for Economy and Workplace stressors” as timely, considering the reports of increase in number of working class people particularly of the female gender across the Globe having issues of anxiety, emotional trauma and depression .
She noted that Statistics show that physical, economic and family responsibilities often induced more stress on females than their male counterparts.
Kayode-Ojo therefore charged members to utilize the take-homes from the Public lecture and panel discussion positively.
She also urged female Officers to be diligent in the discharge of their duties rising up to challenges with determination, hard work, that will showcase their talent and inspired towards ensuring effective service delivery.
The WIM coordinator expressed appreciation to Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for providing a friendly atmosphere that will encourage mental balance for the civil servants in the State especially, the prompt payment of salaries.
She thanked the past mentors especially the wife of the immediate past Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi and the current first Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji for giving the EKWIM appreciable platform during her program.
Other dignitaries at events include :the Hon. Princess Teju Okuyiga- House of Assembly member representing, Gbonyin constituency 1; the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Bimpe Aderiye; The Permanent Secretary to the Deputy Governor office, Mr. Bayo Opeyemi, the Executive Secretary of the Education Trust Fund(ETF)Mrs Bosede Jegede ,the Executive Secretary, Office of Public Defendant and the Barrister Bolanle Wale-Awe as well as Dr. Olabisi Ogunmodede, the Chairman of the Central Working relationship(EKWIM) who also coordinated the panelists.