CRIMINALITY AND MENTAL ILLNESS
The relationship between mental illness and criminality can be identified from the perpetrators and from the nature of crimes committed. Most people involved in theft, banditry, armed robbery, drug and substance abuse and other social vices do so because of their poor mental health and resultant inability to cope with tough and difficult situations.
There is relationship between mental illness and criminality especially in the northern part of this country (Nigeria). This is why COPE AND LIVE mental health awareness Foundation emerged in order to offer counselling to our teeming populace so that their focus shifts from negative to positive thinking culture and maintains a positive life balance. At Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation, our services include awareness creation, guidance and counselling, resilience building and providing a positive culture by encouraging sports as a tool for building a positive friendship and peer learning.
Situational and environmental factors (economic, political, injustice and family issues) might be a cause of criminality but coping skills are the only key tools that can help victim and perpetrators bounce back to normal life.
People with mental illness are more likely to become both victims and perpetrators of crime and finally find themselves as members of one or more Organised Crime Groups (OCG’s). This might be a reason why the Nigerian Federal Government changed focus by reformation to give birth to what is now known as “Correctional Centres” instead of “Prisons.” From past experience, prisoners often graduate from minor crimes to Serious and organised ones because the root causes that drove them into crime were not addressed. Some of them might only need guidance and resilience-building to be able to cope with tough situations.
It is recommended that instead of arresting and sending persons with mental illness to prisons for punishment, resources should be mobilised to identify the root causes of their involvement and rehabilitate their faculty of thinking to be able to COPE and ADAPT.
It is important to note that crime graduates from simple to complex and has individual and societal effects. Some victims may start from drug abuse as a remedy to get relief from anxiety or depression, and finally joining other crime groups such as Kidnappers, Bandits etc all in search for either justice, equitable distribution of resources, or revenge.
Early contact with Mental Health counselling can help to bounce back to normal condition. COPE and LIVE Mental Health Awareness Foundation is the right answer.
You can log on our website: www.copeandlive.foundation for more information.
#treasureyourmentalhealth #problemsolving
Abubakar Magaji Yabo,
Northwest Director of Programs & Focal Person Sokoto State,
Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation.
#treasureyourmentalhealth #problemsolving