The most important resource for any organization or nation is her human resource – the people. It
should therefore be a no-brainer that any organization or nation that desires to be successful and
productive will invest in her human resources. They will ensure that they are equipped and provided
the best tools to enhance the chances of success. The most basic of these investments will be to
ensure that your staff or citizens are healthy and fit for purpose.
The World Health Organization defines health as ‘a state of complete physical, MENTAL, and social
wellbeing’. Thus, health can be conceptualized as a stool sitting on 3 legs: physical leg, mental leg
and social leg. Are we paying attention to any of these 3 legs of health in Nigeria?
Current Realities
We are failing woefully across the spectrum of public health for our citizens: from promotion to
prevention to early identification and treatment and lastly, rehabilitation. This is especially true for
mental and social wellbeing and only slightly better (but still a failure) in the area of physical health.
One out of every 4 Nigerians is at risk of experiencing a mental health problem at some point in their
lifetime. That is at least 50 million Nigerians at risk. If we consider that every family has at least 4
members, that also implies that every family is at risk of at least one family member experiencing a
mental health issue at some point in their lifetime. These numbers deserve attention.
Drug abuse is rife and available at all motor parks and street junctions – openly so. Yet we are
surprised at ghastly motor accidents and reckless motorcycle riders. Insecurity is rife with
kidnappings and armed robbery attacks, unemployment rates are high, our infrastructure is poor,
the minds of the youth appear fixated on instant wealth with no labour – leading to yahoo yahoo
(internet fraud) and other crimes. Yet our politicians do not realize the clear and present danger and
the urgent need to inspire hope and chart a clear pathway for progress. Are they so out of touch
with reality?
The harsh socio-economic realities and increasing rates of depression and suicidal behaviours are a
cause for concern. The WHO globally estimates that one suicide death occurs every 40 seconds
around the world. And every 2 seconds, a human being somewhere will attempt to take their lives.
We are increasingly seeing high rates of suicide and suicide attempts in Nigeria too. We also know
that in the majority of the cases, depression is the underlying trigger.
Criminal Neglect of Mental Health in Nigeria
Ignorance, shame and stigma remain huge barriers preventing the utilization of mental health
services. With the rising cases of mental illness, drug abuse and suicides, in an ocean of
hopelessness, poverty and social difficulties, it is a shame that mental health remains neglected by
governments at federal and state levels. The revised mental health policy of 2023 still does not have
an accompanying mental health plan to guide implementation. The tangible anxiety is about the
non-implementation of previous mental health policies (1991 and 2013 editions).
There is a mental health program at the Federal Level, which is still a far cry from the Department of
Mental Health that the Mental Health Act of 2021 recommends. However, only a mere handful of
states have Desk Officers for Mental Health. Without the administrative and organizational structure
to push for mental health, it is uncertain that much progress can be made, despite the strong
commitments of the current staff of the Mental Health Program at the FMOH. Call to Action
Attempted suicide remains a crime, punishable by 1 year jail term in both the Penal and Criminal
Codes of Nigeria. This is clearly wrong and needs to change. The National Suicide Prevention
Advocacy Coalition is pushing for the decriminalization of attempted suicide and will host a National
Conference to improve publicity among stakeholders on the 10 th October 2024 in Abuja. Asido
Foundation (www.asidofoundation.com) is a key partner in this coalition and additional information
about attendance (physical or virtual) can be found on her website. Please make it a date and
support the call for decriminalization of attempted suicide. What they need is care and treatment,
and not punishment.
Conclusion
As we celebrate 64 years of nationhood, we have many challenges, but they are not insurmountable.
They only require a conscious and strategic campaign to change minds and attitudes for the better;
via societal re-engineering. Nation building can never be accidental. It must be deliberate and
calculated, with a focus on investments in a healthy populace. And optimal mental health should
necessarily be a core consideration. Our best resources are our human resources. And they need to
be healthy for optimal productivity. Remember, good health includes physical, MENTAL and social
wellbeing. There is NO HEALTH without MENTAL HEALTH.
Dr Jibril Abdulmalik
Tribune Article for the column “Your Mental Health & You”
Thursday, 3rd October 2024
Asido Foundation
www.asidofoundation.com
Asivuri Consulting
www.asivuri.com
