Capacity building without commensurate physical or mental awareness has been described as efforts in futility and likened to running in a circle. 

The Ogun State Head of Service, Mr Kehinde Onasanya made this known while delivering his opening address at a one day seminar organised by the Bureau of Establishments and Training, office of the Head of Service for the civil/public servants in the State with the theme "Understanding Your Mental Health, Work Place and Family" held at Obas' complex, Oke Mosan Abeokuta. 

At the seminar which has in attendance officers across the various grade levels in various  MDAs of Government and Parastatals,  Mr Onasanya noted that there is no health without mental health because mental wellbeing touches the very core of human existence and it has become one of the most pressing public health challenges in the recent time. 

He said the topic was so crucial as it reflects the dual environments that shape people's wellbeing, adding that the participants must realise that mental health is not a luxury reserved for difficult times but rather a daily necessity that influenced how people think, work, relate and build the future of Ogun State together. 

" You will agree with me that behind every policy of Government implemented and every service delivered is a human being, men and women like you and me, whose mental and emotional state determine the quality of outcomes we achieve. The definition of a healthy workforce is beyond skills and training alone as it encompasses the harmony between our inner peace, our family life and our professional responsibilities" Mr Onasanya said. 

The Head of Service  emphasized that the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun recognises the importance of wholistic wellbeing of the workforce and thereby given serious attention to issues affecting the wellbeing of the workers from continuous training, improved working conditions, health insurance for physical health to mental health seminar to understand how to balance our lifestyle. 

Mr. Onasanya charged the participants to embrace the seminar as not an ordinary lecture but see it as an opportunity to reflect, learn and to take deliberate steps toward their personal wellness and also see it as an investment in their future and the progress of the State. 

Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Establishments and Training, Mrs Bolaji Fajounbo said the training was organised to make the participants understand that mental health is an integral part of their wellbeing. 

She said participants were selected from all the ministries, departments and agencies of Government across the State to help everyone understand the importance of mental health in other to function optimally both at workplace and and at home, adding that the State Government remains committed to the wholistic wellbeing of its workers. 

The Permanent Secretaries in the Bureau of Public Service Reform, Mr Jola Oyeneye, Civil Service Commission, Mr. Adesoji Adewuyi, Bureau of Local Government Pensions, Engr. Olufisan Osiyale, Bureau of Government House and Special Services, Dr. Wellington Ogunsanya and the Ministry of Health represented by Dr Solomon Sokunbi in their separate goodwill messages said the topic of the seminar was apt as the stress of the nation's economy situation, pressing family issues and societal demands put people in undue pressure, hence the necessity for people to understand the importance of mental health and take it seriously. 

They urged the participants to listen attentively to the carefully selected professional speakers, ask questions and take the advantage of the seminar for their wellness and optimal productivity. 

In his opening remarks, the lead team of Tesspsyche Consult, Dr. Omotayo Ajirotutu said human beings life involves three key areas of work, family and spiritual life, hence the necessity of the seminar with the topic Understanding Your Mental Health, Workplace and Family for the participants to learn fundamentals of workplace mental health, work life balance among others. 

Two of the participants, Mr Olalekan Adams and Mrs Gbemisola Reubenson thanked the State Governor for funding the training at this period and promised to take the advantage of the seminar to take care of their mental health while they render efficient and effective service delivery in their respective duty post.