In a significant step forward for mental healthcare, Nigeria has become the first country to contextualise the newest version of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Mental Health Gap Action Programme (MHGAP 3.0). Led by the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), the initiative demonstrates the government’s dedication to bridging the vast mental health gap in Nigeria. Mental health conditions pose a …

Nigerians have been enjoined to guard their mental health as the looming hardship in the country may have adverse effects on their well-being. This followed the recent reports about cases of suicide happening across the country. The Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Benjamin Olowojebutu, said, “Nigerians must control their emotions to ensure their …

The National Coordinator of the National Mental Health Programme at the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Tunde Ojo, on Monday, said the treatment gap in mental health cases is about 90 per cent. Ojo said this at a press briefing in commemoration of the 2023 World Suicide Prevention Day in Abuja, with the theme “Creating Hope Through Action”. Every year, …

The Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment has urged its officials to pay attention to their mental health in order to remain productive employees and useful individuals to their families and society at large. During a two-day staff training, held at the STO Resource Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, at the weekend, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Biodun Onayele said: …

More than 60 million Nigerians are suffering from mental illnesses, according to the President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, Prof. Taiwo Obindo. Obindo, who is also Chairman, Faculty of Psychiatry at the West African College of Physicians (Nigeria Chapter), said to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja: “Mental healthcare is in a sorry state given that …

A team of researchers has warned that there is a link between the recent extreme heat around the world due to climate change and the increase in mental health cases. Led by Boston University School of Public Health researchers, the scientists announced that there is a correlation between extreme heat and the increase in cases of substance abuse, anxiety and stress. The researchers …