I was travelling recently to Ondo state with my colleagues for a function and I was enthralled as always with the beautiful greenery that lace our landscape in the southern regions of Nigeria. I was once again reminded of the beauty of nature and the resplendence of trees. Trees are the very essence of our existence, they are the very reason why we can thrive as humans.

By their very nature, trees are support systems…

 I have had course to visit the Northern part of Nigeria for different reasons, and the striking contrast of their environment from that in the southern part of the country is evident. The rather barren landscape and relative unavailability of greenery makes for a climate that pushes the inhabitants of those regions to the brink of survival in most instances. The “mere” absence of trees in any environment is almost a death sentence to all life forms in such environment. Trees are indeed a support system. For those of us who grew up in the lush vegetation of the Delta and we played as children do by climbing trees, hence having a close relationship with trees, we understand and value the support system that trees provide. Trees provide food, shelter, fresh air, and overall support.

By their very nature and essence, a family is like a tree that should provide the necessary backing for members thereof. The availability of Food, shelter, support (emotional and physical) and friendship are what actually defines families besides blood relationship. Some may even argue that blood relationship is the least consideration in the practical definition of what a family is. When the only relationship that exists in a group is blood, family is lacking. Think again of trees and super-impose it with the concept of family and you would appreciate more what should avail.

Families are building blocks of society. A decadent society is a reflection of the quality and functionality of families that exist in that society. It is time to re-direct our focus on the family unit and provide the right kind of leadership needed to make it play its function. As parents, the onus lies on us; we are responsible for how society turns out. Children must be taught at an early age correct values, they must be taught to value work and partnership. They must be taught honesty and openness. They must be taught entrepreneurship and savings. They must be conditioned to respect people and things. They must be provided for, they must be loved and cared for. They must be listened to and heard. They must feel valued and important. More importantly they must see you practice what you preach.

Nothing is more relieving than relaxing under the shade of a tree on a hot sunny day after walking long hours in the sun; it feels almost like a hug from nature as the cool breeze caresses and sooths the skin. Welcome home it seems to say, like the voice of a parent when a child returns from a long and arduous journey.

Families are trees…

Sadness, feeling down, having a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities - these are symptoms familiar to all of us. But, if they persist and affect our life substantially, it may be depression.

Recently, not just in Nigeria but around the world there has been an increase in the number of suicide cases according to statistics. The current trend in the nation’s economy where all we hear is recession day in day out, the constant loss of jobs, the continuous increase in the prices of everything especially food stuff and the general hardship being faced right now is enough reason to be depressed, or don’t you think so?

Going by the state of the nation currently, I think a greater percentage of the populace should be walking around depressed. However, this is not so and I feel the difference lies with how we as individuals handle the varying issues we face in life.

Depression is a state of mind so LET’S TALK ABOUT IT!!!

There are a few points to note about depression that I will quickly highlight.

• Depression is an illness characterized by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that you normally enjoy, accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities, for at least two weeks.
• In addition, people with depression normally have several of the following: a loss of energy; a change in appetite; sleeping more or less; anxiety; reduced concentration; indecisiveness; restlessness; feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness; and thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
• Something that can happen to anybody.
• Not a sign of weakness.
• Treatable, with talking therapies or antidepressant medication or a combination of these.

What causes depression?

The causes of depression are not fully understood and may not be down to a single source. Depression is likely to be due to a complex combination of factors that include:

• Genetics
• Biological - changes in neurotransmitter levels
• Environmental
• Psychological and social/psychosocial

Some people are at higher risk of depression than others; risk factors include:

• Life events - for example, bereavement, divorce, and poverty
• Personality - less successful coping strategies, for instance
• Genetic factors - first-degree relatives of depressed patients are at higher risk
• Childhood trauma
• Some prescription drugs - including corticosteroids, some beta-blockers, interferon, and reserpine
• Abuse of recreational drugs (including alcohol and amphetamines) - can accompany depression or result in it. There are strong links between drug abuse and depression
• A past head injury
• People who have had an episode of major depression are at higher risk of a subsequent one
• Chronic pain syndromes in particular, but also other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cardiovascular disease

Common types of Depression

• Major Depression

This type causes symptoms that may:

• Begin suddenly, possibly triggered by a loss, crisis or stressful change
• Interfere with normal functioning
• Continue for months or years

It is possible for a person to have only one episode of major depression.  However, It is more common for episodes to be long lasting or to recur several times during a person’s life

• Dysthymia

People with this illness may be consistently and mildly depressed for years. They function fairly well on a daily basis, but their relationships and self-esteem suffer over time.

• Bipolar Disorder

People with this type of illness change back and forth between periods of depression and periods of mania (an extreme high, sometimes with agitation or irritability).

• Symptoms of mania may include:
  • Less need for sleep
  • Overconfidence
  • Racing thoughts
  • Reckless behavior
  • Increased energy
  • Mood changes are often gradual, but can be sudden

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

This is depression that coincides with changes in the season.

Dealing with Depression

“If you or someone you know has symptoms of depression…

Take Action!! ”

• See a medical doctor for a complete checkup. Some medical problems, such as an under-functioning thyroid, can cause depression.
• Go to the counseling center and talk with a professional counselor.
• Talk things over with an understanding friend or  family  member
• Don’t expect too much of yourself until your energy and mood improve
• Take a break
• Get some exercise
• Avoid extra stress and big changes
• Reduce or eliminate the use of alcohol or drugs
• Eat a proper, well-balanced diet
• Establish a regular sleep pattern

Remember, depression is a temporary difficulty, not a reflection of your whole life or self-worth.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT IT !!!

The importance of Safety and Health management is a major consideration for a successful work place. Safety has overall implication on the image and growth of an organization, hence every responsible firm considers health & safety as a top priority in its budgeting, policy formation, analysis and execution. This explains why despite the recession in the economy with many companies facing budget constraints and cuts, we try to ensure that health and safety programmes do not trail behind in the scheme of things.

We must realize that a safe and healthy workforce is valuable asset for any organization. It is only when people are safe and healthy that jobs are properly executed.

It is important that employees stay in tune with latest safety strategies through inquisitive disposition to know and adhere to simple rules so as to avoid swelling up statistical ratios that are available on accident and fatality especially in the oil and gas and related industries. It becomes more worrisome if one falls into avoidable accidents, through ignorance or negligence. There are staggering records both locally and internationally on the rate of accident and consequences owing to lack of observance to safety rules. For example, the United States Occupational and Health Administration in one of its reports made it clear that the total fatality in the oil and gas is seven times greater than the rate for all United State Industry. This is really mindboggling as one begin to imagine what the figure would be in Nigeria that is still grappling with infrastructure to cope with the necessary health and safety challenges posed by the peculiarity of the business environment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

Strict adherence to safety measures by staff has so much long and short term benefits. The huge consequences of accidents are not limited to the victim but extends to the organization and family members who bear the brunt of such mishaps. While the family members reels in the pains of nursing  wounded loved one, in a minor situation, or deep sense of loss in extreme case of death, the company also count its losses in terms of absence from work by the victim and possible payment of fines and litigation fees.  Every responsible organization will certainty feel the pains of a dead or wounded effective and proactive staff.

 I am pressed to briefly discuss for a while a common possible accident every one of us is prone to; Road crashes.  Whether we drive to work, drive for work or for pleasure, a neglect of simple driving safety rules can result to accident that can drastically affect the physical ability of victims if they survive road crashes, hence it is imperative to adhere to safe driving rules. The joy of returning to loved ones at home after the close of work is heartwarming, we must therefore individually make conscious efforts to keep away from avoidable dangers, especially road crashes.

 Reports have it that road crashes are among the highest causes of death with monumental loss on the victim and other stakeholders.  I read in one report that the loss of wages for crash victim in the US in 2000 was about $61 billion.  This figure is really huge and can be avoided through adherence to operational safety net mechanism set by some organization and other relevant agencies. The fall-out from adhering to safety rules if adequately followed is a win-win situation for parties involved.  Simple rules such as, do not make calls while driving, do not drive above speed limit, use your sit-belt and so on are ways of employing safe driving skills on and off the  job. It is only when we keep safe that our job will be a job well done.