Abuja: A Psychologist, Prof. Andrew Zamani, has advocated mandatory psychological assessments for intending couples and security personnel to reduce the alarming violence rate and firearm accidental discharge cases in the country. Zamani, President of Pan-African Psychology Union (PASU) and Chairman, International Union of Psychology Unions Committee on Cross Border Mental Health Issues, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the psychological assessments would help identify potential red flags, prevent future conflicts in relationships, and minimize incidences of deaths or injuries from accidental discharge of firearms. Prof. Zamani highlighted that not every psychological assessment yields outcomes directly related to mental health, but they provide results that have implications for self-development and self-enhancement.
‘I will advise that in this age and era, psychological assessment is necessary, especially for people who want to make a success of their marital relationships,” Zamani stated. He emphasized that psychological tests could reveal an individual’s level of emotional stability and provide insights for self-improvement and understanding between partners.
Zamani also addressed the issue of accidental discharge of firearms, noting that psychological assessment advisories had been presented to security agencies. Regular assessments for personnel would help identify high-risk individuals, improve firearm handling, and reduce stress and anxiety, thereby protecting lives.
‘We have taken our psychological assessment advisories to security agencies and they have welcomed it,” he said. He noted that psychological tests for gun handlers revealed certain characteristics that predict risks for accidental discharge, and measures were taken to address these issues without punitive actions.
Prof. Zamani reiterated the commitment of PASU to contributing to healthcare services and mental health law in the country, aiming to foster a safer and more understanding society through psychological insights and assessments.