Abstract

Nigeria is experiencing increasing levels and dimensions of insecurity which include armed robbery, kidnappings, hostage taking, invasions of educational institutions and communities and forceful abduction of students and teachers for ransom, terrorism, invasion of communities by herdsmen and militias, banditry and many more; that is creating mental health challenges such as worry, fear, anxiety, insomnia, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, suicide ideation and actual suicide, substances use disorders just to mention a few. Some theories have been used to aid our understanding of the process. These include Attachment Theory, Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs Theory, Information Processing Activation Theory, the Diathesis Stress Model, and the Bio-Psycho-Social Model. Psychological interventions such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Exposure Therapy, Eye movement desensitization, and reprocessing (EMDR) are some evidence-based interventions identified for use with trauma victims. It is recommended that mental health interventions be included in the medical interventions for victims of trauma.

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