Why Nigerian Govt Is Set To Prioritse Mental Health Education

By Cami Ezenwa

There is every likelihood that mental health education would become a national and state priority across the country.

This optimism is based on current developments in the country, that have resulted in heavy losses in human, material and emotional loses, and which clearly indicate the need for mental health education across the different sectors of society.

The most recent is the death by suicide of a young woman in Anambra state, after dropping off her two young children at the Ogui Police Station, Enugu.

The incident which many have linked to mental health challenges, has again caught the attention of governments and social activities on the need to do something decisive.

Wife of the governor of Enugu State, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, who has picked up the children, both under ten has promised to take adequate care of them, but reiterated the need for mental health education in the nation.

Urging persons struggling with depression and related challenges to seek assistance and counseling, she said there was nothing to be ashamed about it.

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She equally urged the Enugu State Ministry of Children, Gender, and Social Development and its counterparts at the federal and state levels across the country to step up their mental health education and advocacy, especially at a time like this.

“This is a very sad news and my heart goes out to these children. To be stripped of a mother’s love at the early stages of their lives is heartbreaking. But it has happened. So, what we will do going forward is to ensure that they are not stranded in life; that they do not lack quality education, and that their future and destinies are not truncated.

“So, for now, we will move them into a secure residential facility where they will receive adequate care. The Custos Foundation will also sponsor their education from primary to the university. We have to be there for one another,” Mrs. Mbah stated.

It is expected that other states as well as the federal government would pick up the gauntlet to avoiding similar incidences in the country.

It is not only in Nigeria that mental health education has become a priority. Reports say over 703,000 persons commit suicide worldwide each year, with the most common means being ingestion of pesticides, hanging, and firearms.

This picture of a mad couple in an intimate position caused social media stir in Nigeria

Reports indicate that the frequency of suicides by its ingestion was what prompted the Nigerian government to curtail the sale of Sniper, a deadly pesticide which many have used to terminate their lives.

Also, there are reports by Punch that in 2022, 79 persons ended their lives by suicide in Nigeria, according to The PUNCH. Lagos ranked highest with 12 cases; followed by Oyo 10; Kano, four; while Anambra, Edo, Delta, Ogun, and Rivers recorded three each. Experts say some cases are never reported.

There appears to be an increase in the number of persons suffering mental illness, and this has usually been associated with the economic challenge in the country.

According to the World Health Organisation, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds globally.

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There have been regular agitations in Nigeria for the government to mitigate the suffering of people occasioned by the challenge in purchasing fuel. The result is increase in the price of literally other items in the country given that oil is Nigeria’s major resource earner.

With economic challenge not yet abating in Nigeria, the need for mental health education is expected to remain a priority.