SOME mental health experts have called on the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to work towards the swift implementation of the National Mental Health Act to ensure the well-being of individuals and society.
The experts made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos, in commemoration of the 2025 World Health Day, which had the theme: “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.”
NAN reports that World Health Day is celebrated annually on April 7 to highlight global health challenges and encourage united efforts toward building a healthier world.
A consultant psychiatrist, Prof. Taiwo Sheikh, expressed concern that many Nigerians lacked good health, as they were not in a state of optimum well-being.
Sheikh, also the Coordinator of the Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group, an NGO, emphasised that the implementation of the Mental Health Act was crucial for improving the country’s wellness.
NAN reports that President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the Mental Health Bill, harmonised by the National Assembly in 2021, to replace the Lunacy Act of 1958.
He stressed the importance of understanding health as more than the absence of illness.
“Good health entails a state of well-being, which encompasses physical, social, and mental wellness. Unfortunately, good health is grossly lacking among the Nigerian populace.
“The new Mental Health Act, signed into law on Jan. 5, 2023, represents a significant reform in Nigeria’s mental health legal framework, aligning it with international guidelines.
“The Act provides a robust framework for addressing mental health issues comprehensively.
“It is designed to improve access to mental health care, promote early diagnosis and intervention, and ensure that mental health services are integrated into our primary healthcare system.
“Its implementation is crucial for comprehensive access to mental health services for all, including women and children, even at the grassroots,” he added.
Dr Maymunah Kadiri, a consultant Neuro-psychiatrist, pointed out that many women experienced postpartum depression after childbirth.
Kadiri, also the Medical Director of Pinnacle Medical Services Ltd., lamented that in most cases, women did not receive the necessary mental healthcare attention, highlighting the need for the implementation of the Act to guarantee access and support.
Kadiri, also the Medical Director of Pinnacle Medical Services Ltd., lamented that in most cases, women did not receive the necessary mental healthcare attention.
She highlighted the urgent need for the implementation of the Act to guarantee access and support.
She further emphasised that the implementation and domestication of the Act in all states would ensure that women, especially those in rural areas, had access to the mental healthcare they require.
Kadiri called on state house assemblies and stakeholders in the health sector to ensure the implementation and domestication of the law in all states of the federation.
“The birth of a baby can trigger a variety of powerful emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. But it can also lead to something unexpected depression.
“Most new moms experience postpartum depression, also known as ‘baby blues,’ which commonly includes mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping.
“Unfortunately, the majority of these women, particularly in rural areas, are not provided the necessary mental healthcare and support.
“I believe that the implementation and domestication of the Act in all states will guarantee access to mental healthcare and support, even at the grassroots level,” Kadiri added. (NAN)
