INITIATIVE AIMED AT ADDRESSING DIABETES AND MENTAL HEALTH REVEALED
An initiative addressing diabetes and mental health challenges has been introduced in Lagos, focusing on empowerment, awareness, and the prevention and management of these conditions. The Oni na Foundation (meaning “love of a mother”) will oversee research on diabetes care and treatment, including evaluating the effectiveness of herbal treatments for this chronic disease.
Diabetes encompasses various conditions leading to elevated blood sugar levels, with common types such as Type 2 diabetes and Type 1. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines diabetes as a chronic disease arising when the pancreas either produces insufficient insulin or when the body cannot use it effectively. Insulin, a hormone regulating blood glucose, is crucial, and uncontrolled diabetes results in hyperglycemia, causing serious damage to the body’s systems, especially nerves and blood vessels.
The foundation’s founder, Israel Onoriode, a UK-based music artist moved by personal loss due to diabetes, highlights the lack of data and research on the disease. He emphasizes the strong link between diabetes and mental health. Onoriode expresses the foundation’s mission to address both physical and mental aspects of diabetes through enlightenment programs, encompassing spiritual, social, and medical implications.
Millions worldwide grapple with diabetes, a condition significantly impacting physical and mental well-being. Studies indicate a strong connection between diabetes and mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. Oni na Foundation seeks to challenge the perception that traditional healthcare systems lack integrity and aims to research and improve these methods.
Onoriode stresses the foundation’s commitment to working with the Nigerian and UK governments, along with institutions, to find effective cures for these diseases. He shares personal experiences, noting challenges in managing Type 1 diabetes and advocating for research on herbal remedies.
The foundation’s programs include individual and group therapy for stress, anxiety, and depression; diabetes education and self-management workshops; nutritional counseling tailored to diabetes and mental health needs; support groups for those with either or both conditions; and public education and awareness campaigns. Onoriode invites individuals, healthcare professionals, community organizations, and concerned citizens to join the foundation’s mission to improve access to affordable care, medication, and essential resources for diabetes management.
Abdullateef Aliyu; From the News Source: DailyTrust
