Association of Professional Party Organisers and Event Planners of Nigeria Urges Nigerians to Prioritize Mental Health and Foster Greater Care for One Another
The Association of Professional Party Organisers and Event Planners of Nigeria (APPOEMN) is calling on Nigerians to prioritize mental health amidst their busy schedules.
The association also emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of care, shared values, and communal understanding to facilitate the exchange of experiences in resolving job-related challenges.
The President of APPOEMN, Mrs. Olufunbi Akinyosoye, made these remarks during the ongoing 7th Annual Event Industry Conference, held at Oluwalogbon House, Off Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos.
The day-three event, themed “Taking Care of Your Mental Health and Mind Decluttering,” was part of the association’s CSR Project for 2024.
In her opening remarks, Mrs. Akinyosoye explained that the event was aimed at giving back to the community that had positively impacted their lives.
She noted that the session sought to address the often-overlooked aspects of their profession, particularly stress and mental health issues.
According to her, the pressure of meeting deadlines and delivering to clients’ satisfaction often takes a toll on their mental well-being.
The guest speaker at the event, Mrs. Ese Ayaebene, a therapist, emphasized the need to address the growing mental health crisis in society, particularly due to current economic challenges.
Speaking on the topic “Resilient Mind,” the medical expert explained that while depression is real, it is not abnormal for anyone to experience it. What is crucial, she added, is finding ways to overcome it promptly.
She advised people not to let depression overwhelm them, noting that women are twice as likely to suffer from it compared to men.
Mrs. Ayaebene highlighted that one way to address mental health issues is for Nigerians to limit their needs to what they can afford, rather than overextending themselves, which could lead to problems.
She also urged Nigerians to break the habit of reaching for their phones first thing in the morning and instead start their day with prayer before pursuing their daily activities.
Mrs. Ayaebene identified several signs of depression, including loss of appetite, insomnia, loss of interest in usual activities, loss of energy, lack of concentration, and suicidal thoughts, which need to be addressed.
Earlier, the association organized a masterclass as part of its annual industry conference, aimed at equipping event professionals with the latest skills, trends, and strategies to enhance their event management capabilities.
According to participants, the session was an eye-opener, as it addressed key challenges and provided practical solutions in areas such as event planning and execution, client management, marketing and branding, digital tools and technologies, crisis management, and more.
