Gender-Based Violence: ICN Partners Producer Of 'Chatroom'

The Institute Of Counselling In Nigeria (ICN) says it is partnering with the producer of the series 'Chatroom' so that people who have survived Gender-Based Violence (GBV) can share their stories.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), 'Chatroom' is a series depicting the effects of gender-based violence in Nigeria.

The Executive Director of ICN, Dr. Tolu Okoigaire, spoke with the news outlet on the sidelines of the first episode in Lagos.

According to her, the show is a comfort zone where survivors of GBV can come and share their stories to get healed of their emotional trauma.

The executive director noted that abuse is huge, having a generational impact.

”When there is necessary help available to overcome the trauma of GBV, the survival begins the journey to healing,” Okoigaira said.

She also criticised the country for its lack of manpower in the area of professional counselling in the country.

On why pastors appeared to be taking the job of professional counsellors, the executive director said that the phenomenon was a huge challenge.

“The churches are indeed the first responders to survivors of GBV and any mental health issues in the country, but many of them are not trained, professional counsellors.

“Are the survivors getting better with pastors? No,” Okoigaira said.

She noted that the rate at which  mental health issues are increasing in the country is alarming and it is not treated with casting and binding

“Psychoanalysis is needed to get to the roots of some of the causes of mental health, except when it involves psychotic disorders.

“I don’t think people should practice the mental health profession in Africa without psychoanalysis because many of us are fixated on the cause of our childhood development.

“We need therapeutic skills to get to the root cause of these problems.

She also said that although some pastors were not professional counsellors, the ICN was looking at ways to partner pastors to build their skills in professional counselling.

“Pastors can still combine professional counselling training with Biblical knowledge,” Okoigaira said.