. 60m Nigerians suffering from mental illness, says expert
Seun Shotunde, Abeokuta
As the world celebrates World Mental Health Day, the National Association of Seadogs(NAS), otherwise known as Pyrates Confraternity, Ash Montana Deck, has advocated for change in metal health narratives, challenging the Federal Government to improve access to mental health services in the country.
The event, which was put together by the Ash Montana Deck, in conjunction with Atlantis, Americana 1 and Longhorn Deck, had the theme, “Access to Services— Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,” with stakeholders from ministries, civil society organisations, security and other agencies present to chart a course on mental health issues.
They include the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development; Ministry of Culture and Tourism; Ogun State Alternate Medicine Board; Committee for Defense of Human Rights(CDHR) Nigeria Drug Laws and Enforcement Agency(NDLEA); Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security amd Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC); Ajowa Community, among others.
The Guest Lecturer, Dr. Emmanuel Abayomi, a Psychiatrist from the Federal Neuropsychiatrist Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, spoke extensively on the theme, saying that about 60,000,000 Nigerians suffer from mental health illness when put the total population at 200,000,000 or 230, 000,000.
Abayomi urged Nigerians to ensure they sleep well, eat balance diet, do physical exercises, take a lot of water and avoid isolation, insisting these factors could reduce mental health struggle, especially with the current economic hardships necessitated by fuel subsidy removal.
He said, “I want Nigerians to know that mental health is for all of us, is not limited to people who have depression or anxiety, so if we have a brain we have mental health, and our mental health is important. people who struggle with anxiety and other mental health problems help is available and let talking about mental health behind the scene, come out in the open and let’s talk about it”
“If we are likely to come down with mental illness in the next five years, when we do these things we can actually chase mental illness away, they include sleep, when you sleep your brain rest eat healthy food, for instance vegetables, fruits; physical activities, walking around, taking a lot of water and finally let us not isolate ourselves but socialize.”
“For Nigeria figures about 60,000,000 Nigerians have according to latest estimate mental health struggle, if we put our population to 200,000,000 or 230,000000 that is one in five or six people who have mental health issues, so that people who are suffering can get access to mental treatment because it is treatable.” he added
Also, speaking, the Capoon, Ash Montana Deck, Ganiyu Omitogun, stressed that the work shop became imperative to call on the attention of government to the struggle Nigerians have with mental health issues, saying that it was necessary for government to make mental health services available for its citizenry.
Omitogun said that the theme focus on psychological support for Nigerians in mental health crisis which may occur due to conflicts, public health emergencies and natural disaster, noting that government creating access to improve mental attention was one of the ways to sustain people’s mental health and well-being.
He said ” Today, Friday, 10th October 2025, is the World Mental Health Day. This is to commemorate the day by joining the United Nations comity of nations and organisations in acknowledging the importance of mental health. This year’s global theme, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is “Access to services—mental health in catastrophes and emergencies.”
“This theme highlights the critical need for mental health and psychosocial support for those affected by crises, including conflicts, public health emergencies, and natural disasters.”
“It is pertinent to note that mental health is a priority not just during major crises but in our everyday life. Our collective well-being is vital, and creating access to care is important in sustaining our mental health and well-being.”
“This workshop is crucial to driving the advocacy required to change the narrative and challenge the government to improve access to mental health services in Nigeria and your community around the globe.” he hinted.
The representative from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Olajumoke Adewusi, lamented that rape is one major factor that causes mental health illness in a girl child and womenfolks generally in the society.
“When a girl is raped she has mental health issues especially if the rape was coming from her father or step father such experience when heard by other women can also cause them mental health struggle” she noted.
