- Dr Tomi Imarah, a consultant psychiatrist, has urged politicians to learn to accept the outcome of elections so they don't develop mental health challenges
- Imarah said politicians that lose elections have a higher risk of developing mental illnesses
- The psychiatrist also said many of the decisions taken in the office are likely to take significant psychological toll on elected officials, especially during the first year of their tenure
- Imarah said that there is a need to regularly, but discreetly, assess politicians’ mental health
A consultant psychiatrist, Dr Tomi Imarah, has urged politicians to learn to accept the outcomes of an election in order to avoid the risk of developing serious emotional turmoil or mental health challenges.
Imarah, who runs an online mental health counselling service, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, February 17, in Lagos.
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Legit.ng gathers that she stated that politicians that lose elections have a higher risk of developing mental illnesses.
“Also, politicians who won elections were at risk of developing mental illness.
“We often assume that politicians have accepted the defeat, graciously or otherwise, and have moved on with their lives.
“You will be surprised to learn that they are often at risk of serious emotional turmoil or mental health challenges.
“They have experienced a unique sense of public humiliation and are likely to strongly internalise it as a sign of personal failure.
“Just like the rest of us, they are not immune from experiencing symptoms of depression.
“They include low mood, low energy, poor motivation, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, poor self-esteem, diminished confidence, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness," she said.
The consultant psychiatrist said that many of the decisions that would be taken in the office were likely to take significant psychological toll on political candidates, especially during the first year of their tenure.
“Dr Ashley Weinberg of the Psychology Department, Salford University, United Kingdom, conducted a 15-year prospective study of Westminster Members of Parliament (MPs) in the UK.
“His research revealed that many of the MPs had psychological strain, sleep difficulties, exhaustion and persistent fatigue for a year or more after entering office, despite being free of these symptoms before elections.
“Nigeria is not immune from these kinds of outcomes; the pressure of the work elected leaders will be taken on is enormous and the lifestyle changes are drastic.
“Also, the impact of failure on candidates who are not elected is potentially enormous and clinically perilous.
“Yet, there is no formal assessment of the resilience and coping mechanisms of electoral candidates before elections and no provisions for psychological support throughout their tenure, should they win, or after the elections, should they lose," Imarah said.
She said that there was a need to regularly, but discreetly, assess politicians’ mental health.
“This is very important, because the selfless service of these elected leaders should not be allowed to jeopardise their own emotional wellbeing and mental stability.
“It is also crucial that the country ensures that they have a healthy frame of mind to make decisions that will be in the nation’s best interest.
“Though, there are less than 1,000 psychiatrists in the entire country of 190 million citizens, I recommend that government constitute a specialised team of psychiatrists to discreetly assess electoral candidates before and after elections.
“They will be required to provide ongoing mental health support to elected officials throughout their tenures.
“They will also provide candidates that were not successful in the elections with psychological support, as the need arises.
“When our leaders enjoy continued emotional wellbeing and mental stability, the nation and its people are safe," she said.
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that ahead of the 2019 elections, Rt Revd Blessing Erifeta, the Anglican bishop of the Sapele Diocese, Delta state, accused politicians of leaving what he described as ‘thuggery rigging’ and moving on to ‘executive rigging’.
The cleric made the accusation at the St Paul Anglican Church, Osubi, Okpe local government area of the state, at the end of a communion service to mark the 10 years anniversary of the diocese.
Eritefa also accused politicians of co-opting prominent persons and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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Source: Legit.ng
