Nigeria has been struggling with the Lunacy Law originally of 1908 and subsequently of 1958
which does not protect the fundamental human rights of citizens with mental health challenges
and deprives them of the right to own and dispose of their property amongst others. Thus,
several concerted stakeholders, led by the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN) have
worked assiduously over decades to ensure the drafting, and passing into law of a revised
mental health law that is in tandem with global best practices and protects the rights of
affected persons and their families. This has finally been achieved, with the signing into law of
the Mental Health Act of 2021.
Having obtained the revised legislation, the next issue of concern is what comes next? How do
we ensure that the legislation does not just gather dust on the shelves? What and who should
be involved in the implementation process? These and many more, prompted the organization
of a virtual interdisciplinary colloquium on Mental Health and the Law in Nigeria, to deliberate
on the implementation and next steps. The colloquium was led by Prof A.G. Ahmed and
colleagues from Canada, in partnership with the Aro Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta,
relevant professional associations such as the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), the
Nigerian Association of Clinical Psychologists (NACP), Civil Society Organizations such as the
Asido Foundation and other concerned stakeholders.
About 120 participants, including politicians, representatives of ministers and the Ministry of
Health, senior health administrators, legal and mental health professionals from all the
geopolitical regions of Nigeria, and Nigerian mental health and legal professionals from Canada,
the United States of America, and Australia attended the Colloquium on Mental Health and the
Law. The colloquium delved into the recent changes in the legal framework governing mental
health services in Nigeria. With a particular focus on the new National Mental Health Act, the
colloquium brought together experts, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and patient
advocates to explore the evolving legal landscape in Nigeria with special attention to the
implementation of the National Mental Health Act, 2021. Through engaging discussions,
presentations, and small group discussions, participants examined the implications of these
changes on the provision of mental health services. The sessions offered valuable insights into
the current legal challenges and opportunities, provided a platform for knowledge exchange,
collaboration, and the development of innovative strategies to ensure the implementation of
the Act and enhance mental healthcare in Nigeria.
The following agreements were reached at the end of the colloquium:
Participants agreed that the recent enactment of the National Mental Health Act stands
as a significant stride towards upholding human rights, fostering community-based
services, and enhancing the quality of care for individuals facing mental health
conditions. Recognizing the potential transformative impact of this Act in reshaping
mental health services, the participants collated collective recommendations to ensure
its implementation and efficacy, setting forth actionable strategies to propel progress.
Participants called for the immediate establishment of the Department of Mental Health
Services as the first and predicate step in the implementation of the Act at the Federal
Ministry of Health as well as within State Ministries of Health.
Participants called for a broad dissemination of the Mental Health Act in simplified
formats across different languages.
Participants also agreed to the distribution of informational materials to religious
groups, philanthropic organizations, government bodies, and educational institutions.
Participants recognized the need to comprehensively engage the media to raise
awareness about patient rights enshrined in the Act.
Participants recognized the need to include personal testimonies from individuals
navigating mental health challenges to drive advocacy, understanding, and reduce
stigma.
Participants stressed the need to educate religious communities on mental illness,
available treatments, and ways to counter stigma effectively with particular reference to
mental facilities designated under the Act.
Participants agreed that it was essential to develop tailored mental health education
plans for secondary and post-secondary education institutions.
Participants recommended that educational establishments, especially medical and law
schools, police and military colleges, health administrators, and continuing professional
development bodies include in their curricula education on the Mental Health Act.
Participants recognized the need to foster collaborative efforts with traditional healers
to enhance inclusive patient care.
Participants recognized the need to make the establishment of the Mental Health Fund
a priority as a public-private funding model.
Participants recognized the need to prioritize task-shifting strategies to address
shortages of mental health practitioners effectively.
The participants committed themselves to creating public awareness about these matters and
to actively promote the implementation of the Act to drive positive change and enhance mental
health services across Nigeria. There was a clear recognition of the urgent need to transform
mental health services that protects the dignity of the citizen, and guarantees equitable and
qualitative mental health services for everyone with mental health challenges. All hands must
be on deck to advance this cause. Will you lend your voice/hand to this campaign?
Dr Jibril Abdulmalik
Tribune Article for the column “Your Mental Health & You”
Thursday, 29th August 2024
Asido Foundation
www.asidofoundation.com
Asivuri Consulting
www.asivuri.com
