Some members of the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ) during the 12km walk, L to R: the Tribune Newspaper Correspondent, Joeseph Abasi Abasi, the NUJ Chairman, Archibong Bassey, the Daily Trust Correspondent, Eyo Charles and the Secretary of NUJ, Mike Abang.
By Anietie Akpan
Medical experts have disclosed that over 720,000 people die of suicide and depression yearly in Cross River State hence the need for regular exercise.
A medical expert with the Psychiatric Nero Hospital Calabar Dr Emmanuel Uwah said out of a population of about 2 million Cross River indigenes, such a large number of suicide and depression is not acceptable people should be mindful of their health status in spite of the hard times.
Uwah said this on Saturday during the “Calabar Walkathon Walk Against Suicide and Depression” organized by the Healthy Billionaires (HB) Club under the Chairmanship of William Archibong jnr; covering 12.5km walk within the city of Calabar .
On his part, the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Owan Enoh, said the exercise was another way of sensitising the people to keep fit and avoid depression.
The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly Elvert Eyambem who flagged off the walk, said through the walk, all forms of suicidal tendencies arising from depression will be avoided.
The Chairman of the State Planning Commission, Dr Bong Duke stated that “depression is an evil wind that is why the Cross River State government has put in place measure to ensue that no one sleeps hungry”.
Equally speaking, the Chairman of Calabar Walkathon 5.0 Planning Committee, Eric Anderson said the Walk is intended to keep citizens of the state in good condition.
He said, “this is one way of taking many people out of drugs abuse, suicide and depression”.
Anderson noted that the theme in 2020, was the Walk Against COVID and “in 2021, we commemorated World Heart Day; in 2022, we walked for peace and security; and in 2023, we walked against drugs and mental health. This year’s focus on suicide and depression stems from the ongoing impact these issues have on society.”
In an interview session, Archibong jnr said, “this is the fifth edition of the Calabar Walkathon and of course we know that depression is an ill in our society. We have statistics of affected persons in the state, and the numbers are increasing and it’s not good for our society.
“That is why, through our outfit, we have come together with all the fitness clubs in Cross River State to advocate and say no to this menace. It is not good, and we stand to support the government in correcting this ill”.
He stated that one way you can do this is by regular exercise, keeping fit. “So we use this medium to tell the world, the people of Cross River State, that suicide and depression is not the best. Now, we can overcome this, right, through our medical partners who have spoken to us and do regular exercises”.
“We do this in partnership with the medical outfits, like the Psychiatric Hospital ”, he said adding that, “those are specialists who handle cases of people who are with this condition, with respect to suicide and depressions.
“So they have the psychologists, they have the professionals who will talk to you, who will take you out of this condition, if you have this condition. And, of course, people are aware that no matter what we face, suicide and depression, suicide is not the best.
“They also guide you to things that will help you get away from depression. We have a wide number of fitness clubs in Cross River State and about 70 percent of them are here with us. And they are always consistent partners in what we do every time this period of the year”.
Over 2,000 persons participated in the long walk at weekend and Anderson stated that the club’s intention is to take the campaign to communities for greater awareness.
