Nigeria’s Mental Health system faces many obstacles, such as a lack of resources, restricted access to required health services, and pervasive stigma. Many people find it difficult to receive the care they need due to the fact there are not enough mental health professionals and facilities in the country. Additionally, stigma surrounding mental health issues causes underreporting and insufficient support for those who need it. It is estimated that 50 million Nigerians, or one in four people, will experience a mental disorder at some point in their lives.
There is a serious shortage of mental health professionals, with a ratio of psychiatrists to the population at approximately 1 per 1 million people. The country also has a very limited number of psychologists and psychiatric nurses. A significant contributor to this shortage is the brain drain, with up to two-thirds of well-trained and certified psychiatric doctors leaving for abroad each year. Nigeria has less than 10 federal neuropsychiatric hospitals, supplemented by some state-owned and private facilities, which are inadequate to meet the demand for necessary health services.
Only 3% of the health budget is dedicated to mental health.
Around 40 million Nigerians, representing 20% of the population, experience mental illness, with anxiety, depression and Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) being the most common conditions. Only 3% of the overall health budget is dedicated to mental health, indicating a need for greater funding and resources to tackle the health issues effectively. Substance abuse, particularly among the youth, has increased and is closely linked to mental problems. The rising trend in drug misuse exacerbates mental conditions and contributes to the growing number of cases.
Drug abuse is at a catastrophic level in the nation, as evidenced by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) report of rise in drug misuse cases and the seizure of drugs valued at over N40 billion within weeks. The consequences of unchecked mental conditions are far-reaching, affecting individuals, families, communities, and society. The ripple effects include diminished productivity, fractured relationships, and increased social issues like substance abuse and homelessness. Another terrible result of unresolved psychological disorders is suicide. The country ranks 15th in the world for the frequency of suicide, according to a 2019 report.
Less than 10% of people affected receive effective care.
Depression, which also leads to mental issues, affects over 7 million people in Nigeria, caused by factors like social pressure, poverty, economic instability, political turbulence, and social unrest. Even with these startling figures, systemic problems including underfunding and a chronic shortage of mental health professionals—less than 300 psychiatrists for a population of over 200 million—mean that less than 10% of people affected receive effective care. In comparison, there are 13,170 psychiatrists in the United Kingdom for a population of about 68 million.
Several regions are ignored since a large portion of the limited care services are centred in urban areas. Therefore, neglected regions are deprived of the aid they require, by this fragmented system, which prolongs their pain. Many psychiatric hospitals are part of Nigeria’s mental health care system, including the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Enugu and the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Aro, Abeokuta. But many places lack both qualified professionals and sufficient facilities. The National Mental Health Act, 2021, which was passed in January 2023, intends to create a Mental Health Fund, safeguard patient rights, and enhance community-based care.
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In addition, there is a push to raise awareness of mental issues and provide better assistance. The Nigerian government has been attempting to improve related policy and Infrastructure in conjunction with a number of Non-governmental organizations and foreign organizations. Other endeavours include public awareness campaigns, healthcare professional training programs, and the creation of mental health policies with the goal of incorporating mental issue services into primary health care (PHC). The Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI) and She Writes Woman are among the organizations that are proactively advocating education, and direct care of people with mental disorders.