HEALTH TALK: Mental Health Awareness in Nigeria: Challenges and perspective 

By Suleiman Tajudeen 

CITIZENS COMPASS – Mental health is all about how people think, feel and behave. It is also a state of mental wellbeing that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well, work well, and also contribute to their community.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that mental health is more than just the absence of mental disorder or disabilities.as peak mental health is not only about managing active conditions but also looking after ongoing wellness and happiness of an individual.

Talking about mental health can reduce the misconceptions and stigma, and can encourage those who are suffering to seek help and find a support network. It is important for caregivers, friend’s, and loved ones to understand the impact that mental health has on daily life.

Mental illness refers to a wide range of mental health conditions, for example, it affects the mood, thinking and behaviour.

Examples of mental illness include: depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorder and substance use disorder etc.

Mental illness continues to be a source of concern globally. Studies have shown that about 450 million people around the world are currently battling with mental illness challenges (WHO 2019), out of this number, 300 millions suffer from depression, 60 millions are affected by bipolar affective disorder, 23 millions are down by schizophrenia and psychosis are about 50 millions while others contend with dementia (NCBI 2023). Nigeria was said to be the worst hit country by mental related challenges, given that about 40 million Nigerians suffer from various forms of mental illness. Nigeria is rated the fifth most suicide prone country globally accounting for about 15,000 out of every recorded 100,000 suicide cases globally (more current study by WHO(2020).

Factors that enhance positive mental health in a society

Emotional wellbeing, independence of decision, perception of reality without distortion, ability to love and be loved, self actualisation, self awareness and mental ability (i.e, normal individuals must have a good sense of judgement).

Others are an ideal person must be able to function optimally in his or her occupation or academic work, the individual with a sound mind must be able to interact meaningfully in the society and an ideal individual must be able to appraise luck and misfortune objectively.

We also need to look at the factors to maintain effective mental health in an individual which include; personal hygiene, environmental hygiene, good nutritional habits, ability to keep a job, choice of friends and good sexual habits.

Others are the use of psychoactive substances should be avoided, ability to accept whatever stressful condition that comes your way (ability to cope with any life events), recognition of early warning signs of psychological disorder, forming the habit of frequent medical check up and learning to accept what you cannot change in life.

To be concluded…

Dr Sulaiman Tajudeen is Head, Clinical Psychology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-araba, Lagos State.