Mental health experts have called on the Federal Government to work towards the speedy implementation of the National Mental Health Act to ensure the well-being of individuals and society.
The experts recently made this call during a virtual meeting organised by the Centre for Health Ethics Law and Development (CHELD), themed ‘Implementing the National Mental Health Act: A Focus on Suicide and Attempted Suicide.’
According to the organisers, the event ─ which attracted speakers and contributors across legal, health, legislative, and other related backgrounds ─ aimed at urging the government to hasten the implementation of the National Mental Health Act and to enlighten Nigerians on the benefits of the act.
The organisers noted that the mental health programme at CHELD stands out as a significant initiative aimed at enhancing mental health awareness, supporting individuals living with mental health conditions, advocating for their rights, and improving access to essential services through comprehensive mental health law and policy reform.
They further noted that CHELD has provided legal support to persons charged with attempted suicide in Nigeria, supported the development of the Act and actively defended the rights of persons with disabilities, including mental health conditions.
The first presenter, clinical psychologist, Mr John Odutemu, addressed issues from clinical perspectives. He dwelt more on the trends, driving factors, and challenges in managing suicide cases, as well as the best practices for prevention and intervention in suicide management.
“Suicidal thoughts are a significant indicator of mental health issues and are symptoms of deeper problems, often rooted in conditions like depression and abuse,” he said.
He further said that men are more likely to commit suicide, often due to societal pressures, toxic masculinity, and repressed emotions.
He added that children and young people can be suicidal too, adding, “Negative comparisons, low self-esteem, bullying, academic pressures and performance can contribute to these thoughts, as children and young people may feel they are not good enough.”
He emphasised that individuals with suicidal thoughts are not selfish, possessed, or weak. He advocated non-criminalisation suicide and treating it as a mental health condition requiring support and intervention.
Odutemu concluded by listing some of the ways suicide can be managed, which included raising a red alert to appropriate authorities to ensure the person receives help and support; encouraging the individual to commit to counselling; and utilising available resources to prevent suicide attempts, including rehabilitation and placing the person on a suicide watchlist for 24-hour protection.
The second presenter, the Executive Director of CHELD, Professor Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, spoke on ‘Decriminalisation of attempted suicide in Nigeria and the operationalisation of the Mental Health Act’.
Onyemelukwe spoke more on the legislative initiatives and support for mental health, the importance of addressing suicide and attempted suicide within the framework of the act, and the role of mental health professionals in supporting the act.
“Three out of every 10 Nigerians suffer from some form of mental illness, and over 20 million Nigerians are affected by various degrees of mental illness or disorder but lack access to psychiatric health care,” she stated.
Onyemelukwe discussed the criminalisation of attempted suicide under Nigerian law, citing specific legal provisions such as the Criminal Code, Section 327; and the Penal Code, Section 231. She also shared similar state provisions from Lagos and Ekiti states.
To address these issues, Professor Onyemelukwe made some recommendations such as decriminalising attempted suicide, implementing state laws supporting mental health, implementing Section 4 of the National Mental Health Act, and strengthening the understanding of mental health legislation among law enforcement and judiciary.
She added that recently, CHELD has focused on the decriminalisation of suicide, actively engaging with various stakeholders such as government officials, mental health professionals, and advocacy groups.
“This engagement aims to promote legal reforms and public awareness campaigns that shift the perception of suicide from a criminal issue to a public health concern.
“By doing so, CHELD ensures that individuals in crisis receive the necessary support and care instead of facing legal consequences,” she said.
The last presenter, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Specialty Healthcare, Dr Alex Egbona, represented by Olamide Omigbile, titled his speech ‘Implementation strategies at the National Assembly’.
Egbona noted that the theme of the event underscored critical and urgent issues that impact many individuals and families across the country.
“Mental health is the cornerstone of overall well-being, affecting every aspect of our lives, from our relationships to our professional achievements and our societal harmony.
“Today, we acknowledge not just the importance of mental health but also the legislative strides we have made through the National Mental Health Act.
“However, recognition alone is not enough. We must translate our awareness into actionable steps,” he said.
He stressed that the statistics on suicide and attempted suicide are harrowing, and the reality should compel people and societies to act with urgency and compassion.
“The National Mental Health 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,” he said.
Egbona called on policymakers, healthcare professionals, educators, community leaders, and individuals to renew their dedication to this cause and ensure that the provisions of the National Mental Health Act are fully realised in their communities.
