Suicide is a tragic reality that claims a life every 40 seconds globally. With nearly one billion people suffering from mental disorders, the urgency to address this issue has never been greater. Nigeria, a country of over 200 million people, grapples with its own mental health crisis, with around 50 million Nigerians affected by mental illness, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Despite this alarming figure, mental health remains a neglected sector in public health. Over 75 percent of individuals with mental, neurological, and substance use disorders receive no treatment, WHO reports. Psychiatrists have said that while suicide has long been a part of Nigeria’s social landscape, cultural stigmas and restrictive laws have historically obscured its true prevalence.
9.5 per 100,000 people suicide case was reported in Nigeria in 2016, which rose to 15 per 100,000 by 2018. These numbers, however, may be underestimated due to societal taboos and legal repercussions surrounding suicide attempts.
Addressing this growing crisis requires a multi-faceted approach, according to experts. He advocated for a combined effort from various government ministries, including health, labour, and social services, to enhance mental health support through community-based services and improved family and neighborhood relations. Former president of the Psychiatrists Association of Nigeria, Prof.
Taiwo James Obindo, highlighted depression as a significant precursor to suicide. He states.