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During the celebration of this year’s World Mental Health Day, medical experts raised the alarm over the rising cases of mental health challenges in the country. According to the National Mental Health Programme Coordinator, Dr. Tunde Ojo, about 20-30 per cent of Nigerians suffer from mental illness. The event is marked annually on October 10 to promote mental health awareness. It is also used to draw attention to the challenges of mental health the world over. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.” The increasing cases of mental health disorders across the world should worry global leaders. Unfortunately, not less than 50 million Nigerians suffer from mental health disorders.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “mental health is a state of well-being where an individual can realise their potential, cope with normal life stresses, work productively and contribute to their community.” The WHO also says that it is more than just the absence of mental disorders and is shaped by biological, environmental and socioeconomic factors. The disease is caused by many factors. They include poverty, pressure of work, violence, disability, profiling of different kinds, discrimination, anxiety, depression, failures and collapsed relationships, among others.
While some countries have taken the issue of mental health seriously, others are yet to fully grasp its effects on families, communities and the larger societies. Yet, health experts agree that mental health constitutes a major challenge among millions of people worldwide. While many countries have bolstered their mental health policies and programmes, greater investment and action are needed to scale up services to protect and promote people’s mental health.
Available statistics show that over 1 billion people worldwide live with a mental health disorder and 91 per cent of these people do not receive adequate treatment or have access to care by professionals. In Nigeria, about 50 million people (1 in 4) suffer from a mental health disorder. Unfortunately, the country faces a significant shortage of mental health professionals, with only about 350 psychiatrists for a population of over 200 million, leading to only 20 per cent of those with serious mental health illnesses accessing adequate care.
Over 70 per cent of those with mental health issues in Nigeria are under 30 years. Their conditions are exacerbated by factors such as unemployment, academic pressure, substance abuse, bipolar disorder, and career stagnation. Sadly, the social stigma associated with mental health constitutes a major barrier preventing people from seeking help to their mental health issues. There is acute shortage of awareness in the country to educate victims of mental health and encourage them to seek help from professionals. As a result of this, many people live with mental health and suffer in silence.
As mental health continues to ravage Nigeria, 85 per cent of victims do not have access to care, which will ameliorate their condition. The situation in Nigeria is aggravated by economic hardship, high cost of living, cost of medication and proximity to medical facilities. Regrettably, many people with mental health challenges are not aware of the condition. Therefore, they vent their frustrations on people around them, colleagues at work, relations and institutions or establishments where they work.
It is likely that some deviant attitudes and violence in some parts of the country today are caused by mental health issues. Domestic violence which has led to the death of a spouse or a relation may be caused by depression or aggression. In this part of the world, some of those suffering from mental health challenges don’t normally go to hospitals. Some have resorted to seeking spiritual help due to poverty and ignorance. Although the spiritual dimension to ill-health cannot be completely ruled out, medical practitioners advise that victims should seek help from a physician.
Therefore, the federal and state governments should rise to the occasion and address frontally the rising cases mental health challenges. They must show commitment to the menace by creating agencies to raise awareness across the country. There must be specific centre in every local government to address mental health issues. Age and social status notwithstanding, anyone can be a victim of mental health challenge.
Government at all levels should also train more health care professionals, psychiatrists and nurses to take care of mental health victims. In addition, the government must adequately respond to all the issues leading to mental health disorder. There must be vibrant youth inclusiveness in the government machinery to create jobs and give them a sense of belonging.
Also, faith based institutions like churches and mosques should take the challenge and educate people about their mental health. Universities and other tertiary institutions should create awareness centres to educate youths on the dangers of taking hard drugs or resorting to suicide in the face of academic challenges. Mental health is a present danger which affects people and threatens social cohesion. Individuals, institutions and corporate entities must take it seriously. The government should prioritise mental health care services across the country and ensure that no victim is left out.
