The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission has expressed its readiness to collaborate with Hearthstone Wellness Centre to strengthen mental health awareness, psychosocial support and recovery services for victims of gender-based violence and other vulnerable groups in the state.
The Chairperson of the Commission, Olivia Dazel, stated this on Friday, October 9, 2026, when the management team of Hearthstone Wellness Centre, led by its Lead Therapist, Adama Jang, visited the Commission to explore areas of collaboration and partnership.
Dazel explained that the Commission regularly handles cases of human rights violations, including domestic violence, child abuse, human trafficking, sexual molestation and family disputes, which often leave victims and their families with significant emotional and psychological distress.
She noted that the Commission’s responsibilities extend beyond addressing reported violations, stressing the need for professional mental health support to help victims recover emotionally and rebuild their lives. According to her, the availability of a mental wellness centre in Plateau State presents an opportunity to bridge existing gaps in psychosocial care.
The Commission’s chairperson observed that victims often receive medical attention or other forms of assistance without adequate psychological support to help them process their experiences. She cited cases involving survivors of sexual violence, abduction and human trafficking as examples of situations where sustained therapy could be beneficial.
“Silence does not heal pain,” Dazel said, urging residents experiencing emotional difficulties to seek professional help rather than suffer in silence.
She also highlighted the emotional toll that handling sensitive cases takes on staff of the Commission, noting that they may experience secondary trauma from repeatedly listening to accounts of abuse and violence. She therefore identified the need for psychosocial support for both victims and personnel working to protect their rights.
Dazel assured the Hearthstone team of the Commission’s willingness to establish deliberate referral pathways to connect victims and other individuals in need of support with the centre. She added that the Commission would consider presenting the centre’s services to the Plateau State Government to explore further areas of cooperation.
The chairperson further called on journalists to help raise public awareness about mental health and the services available at the centre, noting that misconceptions and stigma surrounding mental health often prevent people from seeking assistance.
Earlier, Lead Therapist of Hearthstone Wellness Centre, Adama Jang, expressed appreciation to the Commission for its work in promoting gender equality, inclusion and equal opportunities for all members of society.
Jang explained that achieving gender equality requires more than providing equal opportunities, as emotional, psychological and social barriers can also prevent individuals from reaching their full potential.
She identified mental health awareness and psychosocial support, capacity building, empowerment programmes, support for vulnerable groups, and community outreach as key areas in which Hearthstone could collaborate with the Commission.
According to her, the centre can organise workshops on emotional resilience, self-esteem, leadership, healthy relationships, stress management and emotional well-being for women, men and young people.
She added that joint initiatives could also provide mental health education and appropriate psychosocial support for survivors of gender-based violence, individuals facing discrimination and other underserved populations.
Jang said the centre was open to discussing specific programmes, joint training sessions, referral arrangements and community initiatives that align with the Commission’s priorities.
She expressed the belief that providing individuals with emotional support, relevant knowledge and equal opportunities would contribute to stronger families and healthier communities.
In her response, Dazel congratulated Jang on establishing the wellness centre, describing the initiative as an opportunity to expand access to mental health support in Plateau State.
She also commended Jang’s professional development and commitment to contributing to the well-being of the people, expressing optimism that the proposed partnership would enable more residents to access appropriate psychosocial services.
The visit ended with a shared commitment to explore practical collaboration between the two organisations, with a focus on improving mental health awareness, supporting survivors of abuse and promoting emotional well-being across Plateau State.
