In response to the escalating mental health crisis in Nigeria, where survivors of violence face significant psychological trauma, experts are advocating for a holistic approach that incorporates cultural and spiritual dimensions.
The Lux Terra Leadership Foundation has taken a significant step towards addressing this urgent need by establishing a new campus for its Psycho-Spiritual Institute in Nigeria, affiliated with Veritas University, Abuja.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the Executive Director of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, Rev. Fr. George Ehusani, emphasized the importance of combining modern psychotherapy with traditional spiritual practices.
“The 21st century human society is burdened by multiple essential crisis that exert heavy toll on the psycho-emotional and spiritual well-being of the generality of people.
Nigeria is a country where mental health awareness, even among the educated segment of the population, is very low. Generally, across the country, the Nigerian people and government have yet to gain sufficient awareness that mental health care requires as much attention as physical healthcare, and that effective healthcare delivery in the contemporary society should take a holistic approach taking into cognizance the human person’s physiological, psycho-emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing.”
He explained that this integrated approach could lead to more effective healing, especially given Nigeria’s socio-political instability, which has worsened psycho-emotional and spiritual challenges. The new campus, equipped with the latest psychotherapeutic tools, offers accredited postgraduate programs designed to address these complex issues.
“The psycho-spiritual Institute will use up to date psychotherapeutic tools, approaches and methodologies for the healing of trouble minds, drawn from the best resources in our religious, and spiritual traditions, and taking into cognizance the peculiar African social-historical and cultural context, to offer high quality academic training and professional exposure, for those who will function are Psycho-Spiritual Therapist in such institutions as Hospitals, Hospices, or Elderly Care Homes, Drug Rehabilitation Centers, Prison or Correctional Centers, Schools and Colleges, Counseling Centers, Religious Congregation and Religious Formation Houses, across the content of Africa.”
Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of Veritas University Rev. Fr. Prof. Ichoku Hyacinth acknowledged that the Institute has broken all bounds of the conventional learning system in Nigeria, reassuring that the university will fully support Lux Terra.
“This particular institute is quite unique in sense that the curriculum for this does not exist in present NUC program.
And so it is important to recognize this, that it is innovative and it is a new dimension, a new vista in the training that is usually associated with Nigerian Universities.
It is also courageous on the part of NUC to see that this is also recognized as part of the training program in a Nigerian University.”
The inaugural batch of 13 Master’s students and 30 diploma candidates have already commenced their studies at the temporary campus.
The Master’s program is a two-year residential course, while the diploma offers a hybrid format, combining virtual learning with short-term residencies.
Lux Terra Opens New Institute For Holistic Trauma Treatment
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