60m Nigerians suffering from mental illnesses, says psychiatrist

Medical professional in the country and President, Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), Prof. Taiwo Obindo, has claimed that over 60 million Nigerians are suffering from mental illnesses.

The claims follows reports by the World Health Organisation (WHO) released, Saurday, which said over 700, 000 people commit suicide annually in the world, especially in low and middle income earning countries.

Making the claims on mental illness sufferers in the country, Sunday, Prof. Obindo, who is also the Chairman, Faculty of Psychiatry, West African College of Physicians, Nigeria Chapter, said in Abuja, that only 10 per cent of the victims are able to access appropriate health care.

“Mental healthcare is in a sorry state given that we have more than 60 million Nigerians suffering from various mental illnesses and the fact that only about 10 per cent of them were able to access appropriate care.

“We are left with more than 90 per cent who are unable to access care and this group is called the treatment gap for mental illnesses,” Obindo said.

He said the gap was as a result of various factors like the knowledge gap in which people do not have appropriate information about the causes and treatment for mental illnesses.

Obindo said some factors hindering the management of mental illness in Nigeria included myths and traditional beliefs; inadequate mental health facilities and number of mental health professionals.

According to him, the few available mental health facilities were located in the city centres.

“Knowing that 60 per cent of Nigerians live in the rural areas, they do not have access to appropriate care and have to travel long distances to access facilities,” Obindo said.

He also said that the number of mental health practitioners was low as it fell below the ratio recommended by the World Health Organization.

According to him, the few that were trained were often eager to leave the country.

“The environment in which we practice, the security situation and the remuneration that people were given in the country tend to push them out.

“And then of course, the pull factor from the developed countries where they tend to poach on the already trained medical practitioners in the country, particularly the psychiatrists,” he said.

Obindo said that the cost of hiring practitioners in low medium income countries was low; so ”it was easier for developed countries to poach the already made products rather than training such professional locally.”

He said there was the need for Nigeria to implement its Mental Health Policy on the practice of psychiatry.

Obindo added that although the document was last reviewed in 2013, it was not being implemented.

He said one major component of the policy was the integration of mental health into primary healthcare, which was yet to be achieved after nine years.

The psychiatrist added that the law operational in the country was the “lunacy act”, which was first enacted in 1916 and reviewed in 1958.

“The Mental Health Bill by the mental health stakeholders led by the Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria (APN), in conjunction with the National Assembly and the Ministry of Health was yet to be assented to by the President.

“This is the most recent effort in 30 years,” he said.

It would be recalled that last Saturday, World Health Organisation (WHO) disclosed that more than 700,000 people commit suicide globally every year with 77 per cent of all global suicides occurring in low and middle income countries, like Nigeria, and others.

WHO Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo, who said this in a message to commemorate the 2022 World Suicide Prevention Day, added that the day which was being celebrated on September 10 yearly was aimed at raising the much needed awareness that suicide was preventable.

“For every suicide, there are likely 20 other people making a suicide attempt and many more have serious thoughts of suicide.

”Suicide is the fourth leading cause of deaths among 15 to 29-year-old people,’’ he said.

The 2022 theme is: “Creating hope through action” which serves as a reminder that there is alternative to suicide.

”the theme also aspires to inspire confidence and light in all of us, aimed to empower individuals to be in charge of their lives and value the one life they have,” Mulombo said.

Mulombo said that creating hope through action highlights the importance of setting suicide prevention as a priority public health agenda by countries.

The WHO Country Representative added that this is particularly so where access to mental health services and availability of evidence based interventions were already low.

“Every suicide is a tragedy that has an impact on the people left behind, families, communities, and the entire nation.

“I will begin by commending the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire and his team for their commitment to suicide prevention in Nigeria.

“Suicides are preventable with timely, evidence based and often low cost interventions.

”For national responses to be effective, a comprehensive multi-sectoral suicide prevention strategy is needed,” Mulombo said.

He said in 2013, the World Health Assembly adopted the Mental Health Action Plan 2013 to 2020.

Mulombo said the plan identified suicide prevention as an important priority for achieving the global target of reducing the rate of suicide in countries by 10 per cent by 2020.

He said that Nigeria has shown commitment to the target by first establishing the new National Mental Health Programme in the Ministry of Health.

According to him, the ministry provided strategic leadership on mental health activities and also worked closely with the National Assembly to develop a new mental health bill which aligned with international standards.

“We are all eagerly awaiting the assent of this bill by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“As WHO, we pledge to continue supporting the country to implement priority activities towards mental health including suicide prevention and control.

“In the coming weeks, we will be supporting the review and update of the 2013 National Mental Health Policy, the development of a national framework for suicide prevention and the commemoration of the day.

“In conclusion, together, by raising awareness, reducing the stigma around suicide, and encouraging well-informed action, we can reduce instances of suicide in our country and inadvertently around the world,’’ he said.

Mulombo said the organisation would play a role in supporting people experiencing a suicidal crisis or those bereaved by suicide whether as a member of society.

“We can all create hope through action and be the light,’’ he said.

According to him, suicide remains a serious public health concern with a profound impact on all.