Human rights abuses of persons with mental illness in Nigeria

Case 1
Joseph is a 27-year-old undergraduate who suddenly started hearing voices, even when no one was speaking and having strange and abnormal beliefs that his family and people in the neighbourhood were planning to poison him.

He became restless and quarrelsome and became very suspicious and withdrawn. He was taken to the university Clinic where the doctors made a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder (schizophrenia) and commenced him on treatment. However, a family friend suggested to the parents that the problem was not medical, but a spiritual attack by ‘enemies’.

The friend further suggested that she knew a famous pastor who specialized in casting out demons and spiritual deliverance from mental illness. The parents agreed and withdrew Joseph from the clinic and transferred him to the mountain top prayer house.

Joseph was chained to a tree for a special 60 days fasting and praying session. During those 60 days, he was only given water and minimal food. He became very weak, exhausted and lost weight. The parents were unhappy at his state but believed that it was for his overall good. They took the situation with faith.

Atiku’s son-in-law gave Obasanjo $140,000 ― Witness

Case 2

Fatima was 18 years old and preparing to resume at the university after receiving admission to study law when she became severely depressed with suicidal ideation. The parents initially thought she would soon snap out of it and tried to encourage her.

But when after three weeks she had stopped eating and was barely getting out of bed, they became very worried. However, Fatima’s uncle who was visiting the family insisted that the problem was due to some Jinn possession as he had seen cases like hers before.

He knew a very good mallam who used Ruqiyya (exorcism) to free them of the problem. Knowing the parents were good muslims, he further stressed to them that the mallam was adept at prophetic medicine and everything would be fine.

So, Fatima was taken there against her will and was forcefully left behind for the Ruqqiya sessions, which the Mallam promised would take about two weeks. She remained there for four months, chained to a bed in one of the huts, by which time it became apparent that she had become pregnant…for the mallam, who then offered her parents the option of marrying her as his third wife. The enraged parents invited the police and he was arrested.

 

Discussion

Unfortunately, these and several other examples of human rights abuses of persons with mental disorders are very common occurrences in our society. It stems largely from the widespread ignorance about the actual causes of mental disorders.

This is further worsened by our superstitious beliefs – which are reinforced by the negative storylines of some Nollywood movies. In such narratives, almost everyone who has a mental illness resulted from an evil person sending a spiritual attack.

Thus, even if they present in hospitals, the nurses and doctors would eventually advise the relatives to seek spiritual treatment…where they always get better – according to these Nollywood narratives. These pervasive misconceptions open the door for all manner of stigmatization and violations of the human rights of persons with mental illness.

In the light of the foregoing, it is therefore not surprising that the recent Human Rights Watch report on the state of mental health services in Nigeria was damning but largely factual. Several hundreds have been released from illegal detention/rehabilitation centres across the country.

The situation in some formal mental health facilities are also long overdue for urgent reforms. But at the heart of these conversations lie the huge problem of ignorance and unfounded myths around mental ill health.

It is therefore against this background that the advocacy efforts of civil society organizations such as the Asido Foundation, Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI), Mind Trust, Sane Mind, Mandate Health Empowerment Initiative (MHEI) and a host of others deserve support and amplification.

So, what are the causes of mental illness? There is no doubt that our brain controls the functions of our intelligence, speech, behaviour, thinking, emotions, etc. It is also clear that mental illness occurs when there are chemical imbalances in the brain, which causes abnormal thinking, emotions, behavior, judgement and so on.

And very importantly, there are psychological and medical interventions/treatments that can successfully correct these imbalances and they return to good health and normal functioning.

 

Conclusion:

With support and effective treatment in hospitals, persons with mental disorders can live normal and fulfilling lives. However, quality mental health care services cannot be established without an enabling governance structure and regulation.

It is therefore a clarion call on the government and the National Assembly to expeditiously review and pass the Mental Health Bill that will not only regulate the space, but promote and protect the human rights and personal dignity of affected persons.

 

Nigerian Tribune