20 Million Nigerians Live with Mental Health Conditions – WHO Report Raises Alarm on Nigeria’s Mental Health Crisis
In a sobering report released by the World Health Organization (WHO), it has been revealed that an estimated 20 million Nigerians—representing roughly 20% of the country’s population—are currently living with some form of mental health condition. This startling statistic highlights a growing health crisis in Nigeria that has for too long remained underreported and under-addressed.
The revelation came during a mental health training program organized in Owerri, Imo State, by the Nigeria-American Institute for Mental Health (NAIMH). The event, held on Tuesday, May 27, brought together key stakeholders, experts, and trainers in the field of mental health with the aim of improving capacity, awareness, and support systems for mental health care in Nigeria.
Mental Health in Nigeria: A Ticking Time Bomb
Speaking at the event, Dr Azubike Aliche, Secretary of the Board of Trustees at NAIMH, expressed deep concern about the current state of mental health care in Nigeria. According to him, the mental health burden in Nigeria is not only significant but continues to grow without a proportional response from the health system or government authorities.
“Available reports indicate that only 10 per cent of people living with mental illness have access to care in Nigeria and this has to change,” Dr Aliche stated.
This figure—only 10% access to mental health services—highlights the gaping hole in the country’s health care system when it comes to psychiatric and psychological care. Millions of Nigerians are left to suffer in silence, often without even a diagnosis, let alone access to medication, therapy, or supportive services.
Training Non-Psychiatrists to Bridge the Gap
One of the innovative strategies being adopted by NAIMH to address this shortfall is the training of non-psychiatric health workers to help identify and manage mental health conditions at the grassroots level. According to Dr Aliche, the goal of the training is to equip non-specialists with the tools and knowledge needed to detect mental health symptoms early and guide affected individuals toward appropriate care.
“The training would equip non-psychiatrists to be able to conduct screens to identify mental health symptoms and work with people to manage those symptoms,” he explained.
This approach is especially crucial in Nigeria, where there is a chronic shortage of trained psychiatrists and psychologists, and where cultural stigma often discourages people from seeking formal medical help for mental health issues.
Nigeria Has the Highest Rate of Depression Globally
In what may be the most shocking part of the presentation, Dr Aliche declared that Nigeria currently has the highest number of depression cases in the world. While many may find this difficult to believe, it underscores a growing trend: as economic hardships, insecurity, unemployment, and social pressures intensify, so do the psychological burdens on Nigerians.
“The caseload of depression in Nigeria is alarming. Reports suggest that it is the highest in the world, and this should be a wake-up call for everyone,” he emphasized.
Mental Health: A Global Challenge, A Local Responsibility
Dr Chioma Egu, the Commissioner for Health in Imo State, was also present at the event. She echoed Dr Aliche’s sentiments and acknowledged that mental health is a global challenge, but one that requires local and contextualized solutions.
“The mental health crisis is a global challenge,” she said, “and I call on the Nigeria-American Institute for Mental Health to leverage the government’s mental health policies and collaborate for effective implementation.”
Her statement reflects an increasing recognition among state and federal health officials that the mental health crisis can no longer be ignored or pushed to the margins of health policy.
Government Must Invest in Mental Health Resources
Also speaking at the event was Mr Justice Ulunta, a mental health expert from the Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu. He made a compelling case for the allocation of adequate resources to the mental health sector, not just in terms of policy declarations but in actual investment in training, infrastructure, and research.
“The government must allocate adequate resources for the training of mental health experts and the equipping of facilities,” Ulunta said.
In his view, sustainable progress cannot be made without significant financial and logistical support from the government. The reality is that many psychiatric hospitals in Nigeria are poorly staffed, underfunded, and lack modern equipment.
Stigma Still a Major Barrier
One of the major barriers to mental health care in Nigeria is stigma. Many people still associate mental illness with shame, spiritual attack, or weakness. As a result, they are reluctant to seek help, opting instead for traditional healers, religious deliverance, or silence.
This societal perception is one of the key reasons why early detection and community-based support systems are vital. By training health workers at the primary level, programs like the one organized by NAIMH are helping to normalize discussions around mental health and make care more accessible.
A Call to Action: The Way Forward
The WHO’s report and the discussions held in Owerri should serve as a call to action for all stakeholders in the Nigerian health sector. There are several steps that must be taken urgently:
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Increase Investment in Mental Health Care: Federal and state governments must allocate more funds to build and upgrade mental health facilities and hire more professionals.
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Public Awareness Campaigns: There should be nationwide campaigns to educate the public about mental health, reduce stigma, and encourage people to seek help.
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Integrate Mental Health into Primary Health Care: Mental health services should be made available in community health centers, not just specialized hospitals.
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Partner with NGOs and International Bodies: Collaborations with organizations like NAIMH and WHO can help bring expertise, funding, and visibility to Nigeria’s mental health issues.
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Policy Enforcement and Monitoring: Nigeria has mental health policies, but their implementation remains poor. There must be accountability and regular evaluation.
Conclusion: Mental Health Must Become a National Priority
The mental health crisis in Nigeria is no longer a hidden issue. With 20 million people affected, it is a national emergency that requires urgent and sustained action. As Dr Aliche, Dr Egu, and Mr Ulunta have all made clear, the time to act is now.
Let this report from the WHO serve as a wake-up call for Nigeria. Every life matters, and mental health is health.
