Tackling Mental Health Issues in Nigeria on World Mental Health Day

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By Ejiofor Agada

On World Mental Health Day, Nigeria stands at a crucial juncture in addressing the pressing issue of mental health within its population. With a high prevalence of mental health disorders and limited access to adequate care, it is imperative to shed light on the challenges faced by individuals struggling with mental health issues and explore potential strategies for improvement. In the mental health landscape in Nigeria, it’ll be worthwhile to examine the impact of stigma on discussions, promote mental health awareness, address access to services, acknowledge the role of culture, empower individuals and communities, advocate for policy reform, and outline long-term sustainable strategies.

Exploring these areas will foster a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and potential solutions to tackle mental health issues in Nigeria, just as the rest of the world is grappling with a significant burden of mental health issues. According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that one in four Nigerians will experience a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. This staggering statistic highlights the urgent need for action and support in addressing mental health in the country.

Nigeria’s socio-cultural context plays a crucial role in shaping mental health experiences. Factors such as stigma associated with mental illness, lack of awareness and understanding, and limited access to mental health services contribute to the challenges faced by individuals struggling with their mental well-being.

In Nigeria, stigma surrounding mental health often prevents individuals from seeking the support they need due to fear of judgment, discrimination, or social exclusion if they disclose their mental health struggles. This fear can lead to hesitation in speaking openly about mental illness and can significantly hinder access to appropriate care and treatment.

As far back as 1916, Nigeria enacted its first mental health legislation, which was called the Lunacy Ordinance. This legal framework was revised in 1958, under the name Lunacy Act, to grant magistrates and medical professionals the authority to detain individuals with mental health problems.

In 1991, Nigeria’s first mental health policy was established, and its elements included promotion, advocacy, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. In 2003, the National Assembly of Nigeria received a mental health bill to address the many defects of the 1958 law, which were associated with a misunderstanding of mental health issues and a scarcity and ineffectiveness of treatments available at that time; however, the bill was withdrawn in April 2009. Despite being reintroduced in 2013, the bill was not passed into law due to a lack of support.

Again on Jan 5, 2023, former President Muhammadu Buhari, signed the Mental Heath Bill 2021 into law, replacing the outdated 65-year-old Lunacy Act. Although this law reflects the political will in Nigeria regarding the need to improve mental health care, the aim of Nigeria’s National Mental Health Act 2021 can only be achieved through effective implementation.

World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10th each year, serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about mental health issues globally. It aims to mobilize efforts in support of mental health, provide an open platform for dialogue, and advocate for better mental health services and policies.

Today, on World Mental Health Day with the theme: “Mental health is a universal human right”, various activities and initiatives are organized across Nigeria to promote mental health awareness. These include public awareness campaigns, workshops, seminars, and online campaigns. Social media platforms, community organizations, and mental health advocacy groups all play a vital role in spreading the message and educating the public about mental health.

Speaking in one of these events, the founder of Mycarebuddy – a mental health therapy startup based in Nigeria, Ebere Okonkwo, advocates the need for the government to properly ensure the implementation at the grassroots. According to her, “The Mental Health Act passed earlier in the year should go beyond mere paper policy to being executed at the grassroots. This would be made possible if the government helped create an enabling environment for initiatives like Mycarebuddy and others to thrive in their mission to provide mental health care.

“The government should help formulate good fiscal and economic policies in the country. Policies that will help alleviate the poverty burden on Nigerians. This is because poverty and financial insecurity constitute one of the major reasons why many Nigerians do not enjoy good mental health and general wellness,” she said.

This challenge in Nigeria is the limited availability and accessibility of mental health services and the scarcity of mental health professionals, making it difficult for individuals to receive timely and appropriate care. Additionally, the lack of mental health facilities and funding further exacerbates the gap in service provision.

To bridge the gap in mental health services, innovative approaches are being explored. Telemedicine and digital health platforms, for example, can extend the reach of mental health support to remote areas. Collaborations between traditional healers and mental health professionals are also being explored to blend cultural practices with evidence-based interventions. Such efforts are essential in ensuring that mental health services become more accessible and inclusive for all Nigerians.

Okonkwo also further advocated for training and developments to be systematically carried out by the government to properly equip individuals and organisations primarily saddled with the responsibility of providing mental health care and support to community members.

Also, by acknowledging the prevalence of mental health issues, challenging stigma, promoting awareness, and improving access to services, Nigeria can make significant strides in tackling mental health challenges on World Mental Health Day and beyond by uniting in her efforts to create a society that prioritizes mental well-being and supports those in need with empathy and understanding.

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