World Mental Health Day: Group draws attention to mental health care gaps in Nigeria

Mental health advocacy in Nigeria has gained new momentum, driven by the pressing need to address stigma and the lack of accessible care.

As Nigerians continue to grapple with a deficient mental health system, Nguvu Collective Change Leaders Aisha Bubah and Jecinta Egbim have brought a fresh, urgent focus to the issue on World Mental Health Day.

Aisha Bubah, a psychologist and dedicated advocate, called for improved access to mental health care across Nigeria.

In a campaign she launched, Aisha urged the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) to train primary healthcare workers as lay counsellors, providing basic mental health support and referrals.

She also stresses the importance of establishing mental health desks at healthcare centres and training doctors and nurses to address mental health concerns at the community level.

“As a survivor of insurgency, I understand the deep need for mental health support, especially for those who have experienced trauma,” says Aisha. “Access to quality mental healthcare is a basic human right, and we must make it available to everyone.”

Her fellow Change Leader, Jecinta Egbim, is focussing her efforts on the mental well-being of adolescents in Nigeria’s public schools, especially in regions plagued by violence.

Jacinta drew attention to the severe psychological impact of crises like bombings, kidnappings and bandit attacks, particularly in states such as Kaduna.

She called for the establishment of mandatory guidance and counselling units in public schools, as outlined in Nigeria’s National Policy on Education.

“Our children are growing up in environments where they constantly face threats of violence, and the trauma from these experiences is often overlooked,” Jecinta explains.

“It is critical that we provide students with mental health support in schools. Teachers must be trained to offer counselling, and every child should have access to a safe, supportive space where they can heal and thrive,” she noted.

According to the World Health Organisation, over 720,000 people die by suicide annually, with 77 per cent of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria.

The country also has one of the highest rates of depression in Africa, yet it struggles with a severe shortage of mental health professionals. A 2021 report by the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN) revealed that there are only 250 psychiatrists serving Nigeria’s 215 million people.

Through their petitions and advocacy work, both Aisha and Jecinta expressed hope towards inspiring policymakers to collaborate with local stakeholders to build a mental health system that is inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the needs of all Nigerians.

Their efforts underline the importance of addressing mental health at the grassroots level—ensuring that both community members and students have access to the care they deserve.

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