BY AUSTIN OYIBODE
The Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON) on Wednesday May 21, marked the 2025 World Family Doctor Day with a powerful event held at the Asaba Specialist Hospital, centered on the theme: “Building Mental Resilience in a Changing World.”
The celebration underscored the pivotal role of family doctors in addressing Nigeria’s growing mental health crisis and fostering psychological strength across communities and families.
Family doctors and other healthcare professionals gathered to reflect on their critical contributions to health and well-being.
SOFPON President, Dr. Blessing Chukwukelu, highlighted the increasing mental health challenges faced by Nigerians due to economic hardship, insecurity, and limited access to psychiatric care—citing a sobering statistic: just one psychiatrist per 700,000 people.
Represented by Dr. Patience Omashor, Chairman Delta State SOFPON, the SOFPON President said: “Family doctors are often the first point of contact for patients. We are uniquely positioned to screen, support, and refer individuals facing mental distress while also combating stigma at the community level,” she said.
Dr. Chukwukelu emphasized the need for targeted mental health training for family physicians and stressed the importance of supporting healthcare providers’ own mental well-being.
She said: “Resilience is not about avoiding stress but learning to navigate it with strength, awareness, and support.”
Her speech offered practical strategies for building resilience, including cultivating a growth mindset, establishing routines, fostering supportive relationships, and promoting mindfulness and gratitude.
The Chief Medical Director of Asaba Specialist Hospital, Dr. Peace Ighosewe, officially opened the event and congratulated family doctors for their dedication. “Family doctors are the backbone of our healthcare system,” she stated, praising their efforts despite the scarcity of personnel.
Delivering the lecture with the title: “Building Mental Resilience in a Changing World,” Dr. Bamidele Ogunfowokan, Assistant Secretary General of the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON), called for a nationwide focus on building mental resilience.
Delivering the thought-provoking lecture, Dr. Ogunfowokan outlined the complex causes of mental stress and offered practical strategies for cultivating psychological strength.
He described mental stress as a product of both external pressures and internal reactions. He highlighted that people are constantly navigating challenges such as job insecurity, academic demands, financial instability, relationship conflicts, major life transitions, and health problems.
Compounding these are internal struggles like negative thinking, perfectionism, unresolved trauma, and a lack of effective coping mechanisms. Environmental and physical stressors such as poor sleep, unhealthy lifestyles, and unsafe surroundings further add to the mental burden.
Despite the prevalence of these stressors, Dr. Ogunfowokan emphasized that stress is not insurmountable. He presented practical strategies for building mental resilience.
These include adopting a growth mindset by viewing challenges as learning opportunities and recognizing emotions through mindfulness and self-reflection. Establishing daily routines while remaining adaptable to change can provide a sense of stability in unpredictable times.
Managing stress proactively through techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and reducing exposure to negative media was also encouraged.
He advised fostering supportive relationships and not hesitating to seek help, as resilience thrives in community.
Living with purpose, by engaging in meaningful activities and setting achievable goals, helps maintain motivation and focus.
Dr. Ogunfowokan also stressed the importance of problem-solving skills and staying solution-oriented, especially during periods of uncertainty.
“Resilience isn’t about avoiding stress but learning how to navigate it with strength, awareness, and support,” Dr. Ogunfowokan noted.
The lecture ended with a call to action for individuals and institutions to prioritize mental well-being and embed resilience-building practices into daily life.
He emphasized that building mental resilience should be treated as a public health priority and a vital life skill in today’s ever-changing world.
Several family doctors also shared goodwill messages, highlighting the unique nature of their work. “Other specialties celebrate diseases, but we celebrate people,” one said.
“Family medicine is the bedrock of healthcare—regardless of age or gender, we are the first line of care,” said another.
They emphasized the versatility of family medicine, noting that family doctors can serve in multiple departments—something few other specialties can do.
The 2025 World Family Doctor Day celebration in Asaba reaffirmed SOFPON’s commitment to integrating mental health into primary care, advocating for resilience, and strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system—one patient, one family, and one community at a time.
