{
  "id": 18244750,
  "title": "Clinical Psychologists Seek Greater Investment in Mental Health Services for Victims of Insecurity",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/clinical-psychologists-seek-greater-investment-in-mental-health",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-11-05T04:01:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/11/05/clinical-psychologists-seek-greater-investment-in-mental-health-services-for-victims-of-insecurity-2/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Jos, Nigeria, the Nigeria Association of Clinical Psychologists (NACP) has urged the government to invest more in mental health services and psychosocial support programs for victims of insecurity, displacement, and humanitarian crises. At their Annual National Congress and Scientific Conference, experts, academics, policymakers, and humanitarian professionals gathered to discuss the role of clinical psychology in helping communities heal from trauma. The conference, themed \"From Trauma to Resilience: Bringing Research and Practice Together,\" took place in the aftermath of persistent attacks, mass displacement, and rising mental health challenges across Nigeria, particularly in Plateau, Benue, and Kaduna States.\n\nDr. Bernard Doro, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, emphasized the importance of incorporating psychological care into humanitarian efforts, stating that providing relief materials alone is not enough to address the mental health impact on affected populations. He highlighted that women, children, and other vulnerable groups have been disproportionately affected, especially in Plateau State, where repeated attacks have inflicted deep psychological wounds on communities.\n\nNACP President Prof. Gloria Karuri stressed the urgency of prioritizing mental health, warning that failing to address psychological well-being could exacerbate existing mental health issues within society. During the event's opening address, conference chairman Mr. John Gana emphasized the ongoing exposure of communities to severe psychological distress due to conflict, insecurity, displacement, and humanitarian emergencies. He called for enhanced partnerships between researchers and practitioners, asserting that translating scientific findings into practical interventions capable of tackling real-world humanitarian challenges is crucial.\n\nDr. Evans Binan Dami, a humanitarian clinical psychologist, identified extreme poverty, social dislocation, increasing numbers of out-of-school children, persistent attacks, and poor parenting as significant factors undermining community resilience. He also lamented the scarcity of mental health services in many parts of the country and advocated for integrating psychological care into social welfare programs and community-based initiatives. Dami urged governments at all levels to develop and implement policies focused on addressing emerging mental health challenges, particularly among vulnerable groups affected by violence and displacement.\n\nConference participants agreed that bolstering mental health services and ensuring research informs practice would be essential in helping individuals and communities transition from trauma to healing and resilience.",
  "summary": "Yemi Kosoko in Jos Amid growing concerns over the psychological toll of insecurity, displacement and humanitarian crises across Nigeria, the Nigeria Association of Clinical Psychologists (NACP) has called for increased",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}