A World Health Organisation report reveals that 20 million Nigerians—about one-fifth of the population—live with mental health conditions. Dr. Azubike Aliche, Secretary of the Nigeria-American Institute for Mental Health (NAIMH) Board of Trustees, shared this during a mental health training program held by NAIMH in Owerri on May 27. The training aims to enable non-psychiatrists to identify mental health symptoms early and support affected individuals in managing their conditions.
Dr. Aliche highlighted a troubling rise in depression cases in Nigeria, reportedly the highest worldwide. He urged focused efforts to improve mental health care access. Current data show only 10 percent of Nigerians with mental illness receive proper treatment, a situation Dr. Aliche insists must change.
Dr. Chioma Egu, the state’s Commissioner for Health, called the mental health crisis a global problem and encouraged the institute to work closely with government mental health policies to improve outcomes.
Justice Ulunta, a facilitator from the Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu, stressed the need for government investment in training mental health professionals and upgrading health facilities to better respond to the crisis.
This report underscores the urgent need for expanded mental health care and government commitment to tackling Nigeria’s mental health challenges.
