On the day we marked the world mental health day,23 year old Nigerian Femi Nandap was given an indefinite hospital order by a judge for stabbing Jeroen Ensink, 41, to death in Islington, north London, while in a psychotic rage last December.
Femi attacked Dr Ensink just days after knife charges against him were dropped.It is a further highlight into the terrible mental health disease and how it ruins many lives.
Femi Nandap admitted to manslaughter by diminished responsibility.
The victim,Dr Ensink had been leading a project to improve health in Africa through better
water quality and sanitation.
Sentencing Nandap at the Old Bailey, Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC described the victim as a "truly remarkable man" adding: "His death is a loss to a large proportion of the world's poor."
He added: "I express the hope that those in a position to do so will investigate all aspects of this case."
The court heard Nandap, who came to Britain to take an African studies and economic development course, had been charged in May with possession of a 30-inch knife and assault of a police officer after he punched and bit an officer who was trying to arrest him. The charges were later dropped.
Mrs Ensink-Teich, who was in court with her baby daughter Fleur to see Nandap sentenced, said: "Not only was the love of my life taken from me, but with him also all of our hopes and dreams.
"This is a terrible tragedy for me and for Jeroen's daughter, and family and friends but it is not a one off; mental health homicides keep happening again and again.
"If such tragedies keep occurring, why has there not been concerted action to address this?
"If a person with a history of mental health problems is found wandering about with a knife, and attacks a police officer, then that person must be referred to a secure unit for proper assessment and treatment and not given bail so easily."
The court heard Nandap, of Woolwich, south-east London, was in a cannabis-induced psychotic rage and stabbed Dr Ensink repeatedly in the chest and back until an off duty special constable intervened.
Nandap told psychiatrists he had started to receive telepathic messages and considered himself the "chosen one" or "messiah" in spring last year, prior to the attack on the police officer.
The mental health statistics is scary. The majority of violent crimes and homicides are committed by people who do not have mental health problems. ... It is estimated that about one in six of the adult population will have a significant mental health problem at any one time, (more than 7 million people).This is the reason why we must all do what with can in terms of research and awareness to fight this terrible condition which also comes with great stigma.
The stigma that has been associated with the illness in the past is starting to be eradicated thanks to tirelessly campaigning and awareness for a better understand about the topic.
Today is World Mental Health Day and famous faces from all walks of life including Prince Harry,Prince William and Kate Middleton,James Corden and Ed Sheeran have stepped up to support the campaign, while some have spoken about their own battles with mental health.
More should be looked into how treatment or rehab as well as medical science can help eradicate this serious condition
More should be looked into how treatment or rehab as well as medical science can help eradicate this serious condition
Below are some mental health awareness day quotes.
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