The Lagos State Government on Tuesday unveiled an ultramodern Wellness Centre for its employees called ‘LASWELL Centre’ to address mental health issues to boost effective service among the workforce in the state.

According to Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the state’s Head of Service, the centre, situated within Folarin Coker Staff Clinic inside the State Secretariat Complex, Alausa-Ikeja, would enhance the provision of welfare of the state’s workers in the area of mental health according to global best practices.

He, however hinted that the centre is exclusively designed to cater for public servants adding that a team of case managers, peer support workers, psychiatrists, social workers, psychologists, nurses and vocational specialists in the centre are at the services of the workers who will be rendering services and interventions through a community-based and inter-disciplinary approach.

“The Centre is therefore structured to enhance the welfare of Lagos State Public Servants to function effectively, with the help of professionals, as well as ensure that Officers attain satisfactory standards of mental stability as well as emotional/psychological well-being”, he emphasised.

In his commendation of the centre by the state’s Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Muri-Okunola restated the commitment of Sanwo-Olu’s administration to the provision of social support infrastructure towards ensuring the emotional stability of public servants.

He, therefore urged members of staff to feel free to visit the centre when necessary, noting that mental health services are rendered by licensed professionals in various disciplines.

“It is my candid view that such commitment to the provision of social support infrastructure on the part of the State Government towards ensuring the emotional stability of Public Servants would go a long way, not only in boosting the overall well-being of members of staff individually, but also in enhancing the effectiveness and overall productivity of the State workforce.

“This Centre was not established to create fear or stigmatise anyone who may be at risk or maybe experiencing prodromal symptoms of illness, acute disorders, remission or individuals who may not necessarily appear physically ill but may be challenged by daily routine functioning, demands and expectations on them either at work or at home; as well as Officers that may be overwhelmed by emotional relationship problems and other mental or psychological issues”, Muri-Okunola added.

In his remak, Professor Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Health commended the head of service for the initiative, which is the beginning of important policy on mental health in the State noting that the establishment of the centre is in line with the administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda.

Abayomi added that promotion of mental health as well as the well-being of members of staff and Lagosians at large, which is prioritised within the State’s development agenda for Health.

The Centre is open within the daily working hours.