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• Survivors seek access to mental health services
By Henry Uche
Health and public safety experts have urged Nigerians to always check on one another in this season of economic deprivation.
They made this plea following incessant reports of suicide at the third mental health summit put together by Vanguard Media Limited in Lagos. The panelists agreed that there were avoidable deaths, if Nigerians had paid attention to the plight of their neighbours and decried the meagre budget for health and the absence of a budget specifically for mental health of Nigerians in the national budget.
While calling for the establishment of a mental health fund, they moved for the establishment of the Department of Mental Health across all federal and state ministries of health as provided by the law.
“Suicide is a preventable tragedy. It is beyond self inflicted death. We should listen to people and take every change in behaviour and complaint seriously. Let compassion be our culture. We should be committed to action. Every Life matters and is valued. There should be multidisciplinary and sectoral collaboration because people are in pain,” they urged.
Speaking on ‘Strengthening Nigeria’s Mental Health Act: From Policy To Implementation,’ the President of the Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria, Professor Taiwo Obindo, represented by Professor Mashudat Bello-Mojeed, said there is no health without mental health.
Obindo believes that mental health should align with universal health coverage, believing that a holistic approach would strengthen national resilience.
“Institutional reforms must be embedded in law and policy. Capacity development ensures continuity beyond leadership changes, while sustained advocacy secures political will.
“The Mental Health Act is more than a piece of legislation; it is a lifeline, a new dawn for the values and protection of people’s mental health. It reminds us that mental health is not a luxury; it is a public priority, a human right and the foundation for a healthy and productive nation. Nigeria has made significant legislative progress but laws alone do not heal mind; implementation does.”
He added that the success of the Mental Health Act depends on awareness, advocacy and action. While implementation demands resources, coordination and persistence, he posited that every professional has a role in sustaining the momentum, but the government must fund it, the health system must enforce it and the media must amplify it. “Let us make conversation on mental health louder, clearer and kinder. No Nigerian should be punished for their pain or silenced by shame. We must translate policy into practice at all professional levels and champion evidence-based and humane care. Let’s be ambassadors of the new Mental Health Act and its implementation. Together, we can work towards implementation and turn the law into a lasting change, where the mental well-being of every Nigerian is seen, heard and protected,” he implored.
Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, called for more education and sensitisation across young people, as the agency pursues its mandate, mission and vision in the interest of Nigerians.
The DG added that despite obvious challenges, NAFDAC would encourage and maintain regulatory transparency, promote self-awareness and mental health awareness among the public, protect every Nigeria’s right to safe and effective treatment and build public trust in mental healthcare.
“Every suicide is one too many; 16,000 lives lost yearly is a national call for compassion. We shall continue to collaborate with international and local stakeholders to regulate substances of abuse and encourage routine check up for mental health. We have a programme called ‘Catch Them Young’ across the 36 states to give them better orientation about drugs and other issues,” she stresses.
For the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, represented by one of his ambassadors, the ‘kick Against Drugs Campaign’ is not losing steam, but would continue to strive to make Lagos the centre of empathy and empowerment. “No Young person is beyond redemption. Our fight against drug abuse in Lagos State is not only about restriction and law enforcement; it is equally about rehabilitation, empowerment and hope,” he assured.
