— Calls for urgent attention to mental health, sleep, and societal stressors The Medical Director of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatr...
— Calls for urgent attention to mental health, sleep, and societal stressors
The Medical Director of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Kaduna, Professor Aishatu Yusha’u Armaya’u, has raised alarm over the increasing toll modern life is taking on the human brain, warning that people are "living in a world that constantly pushes the boundaries of human resilience."
Speaking on Tuesday at the Brain Awareness Week Public Lecture organized by the Neuroscience Society of Nigeria, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Chapter, Prof. Armaya’u said that urban stress, reliance on substances, and the culture of sleepless productivity have placed human brains "constantly under siege."
“From the pressures of academia and the chaos of urban living, to the creeping reliance on substances as coping mechanisms, and the growing culture of sleepless productivity, our brains are constantly under siege,” she stated during her keynote address.
Held at the College of Postgraduate Studies Auditorium, ABU Zaria, the event was themed “Brain on Burnout: The Impact of Environmental Stressors, Substance Use, and Sleep Deprivation.”
Prof. Armaya’u described the theme as timely and crucial, stressing that brain health must be treated with the same urgency as physical health. She called the lecture a "public health call to action" and emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among mental health professionals, scientists, educators, and policymakers to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health.
“It is a moment to reflect on how we, as individuals, institutions, and a society, must begin to protect and prioritise brain health,” she added.
In a goodwill message, the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, represented by Prof. Wilson Hamman, Dean of the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, described the lecture as apt and relevant. He reaffirmed the university's commitment to advancing public health awareness and research.
Earlier, Prof. N. M. Danjuma, President of the ABU Chapter of the Neuroscience Society of Nigeria, welcomed guests and urged participants to absorb and disseminate the knowledge shared, stressing that awareness is key to prevention.
The event featured four expert presentations:
Dr. Aliyu Muhammad (Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Kaduna) gave an overview of mental health, highlighting its foundational role in overall well-being.
Dr. A. A. Sadeeq (Department of Human Anatomy, ABU) examined the neuroscience of stress and its physiological impact on the brain.
Dr. A. S. Isa (Department of Human Physiology, ABU) explained the role of sleep in stress regulation, linking sleep deprivation to long-term cognitive dysfunction.
Dr. Zainab Mohammed Bello (Department of Human Anatomy, ABU) presented a session titled “Digital Trap: The Impact of Social Media and Screen Time on Sleep and Brain Functions”, exposing the risks of digital overexposure on mental and neurological health.
The event culminated with the presentation of awards to distinguished individuals for their unwavering support in promoting health and wellness in society.
The Brain Awareness Week lecture served as both a scientific discourse and a clarion call to prioritize mental health amidst increasing societal pressures.
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