Implementing the National Mental Health Act: A Focus on Suicide and Attempted Suicide

Mental Health and Disability, Suicide Prevention

The House of Representatives Committee on Specialty Healthcare chaired by Hon. Dr. Alex Egbona held an interactive session with stakeholders on the need to prioritize and implement the provisions of the Mental Health Act to tackle suicide and suicidality in Nigeria. Stakeholders from the government, neuropsychiatric hospitals, professional associations, the development sector, and civil society…

Implementation of the National Mental Health Act 2021: Urgent Call for the Establishment of the Department of Mental Health Services and the Composition of the Mental Health Assessment Committee

Featured, Mental Health and Disability

1.1           Introduction Prior to the operational commencement of the National Mental Health Act 2021 on 28th December 2022, the Lunacy Act 1958[1] regulated mental health disorders in Nigeria. The Lunacy Act 1958 began as a lunacy Ordinance 1916. The quest for comprehensive mental health legislation that aligns with contemporary best practices can be traced to…