40 million Nigerians suffering from mental disorders, says FG

The Federal Government on Monday said an estimated 40 million Nigerians are believed to be suffering from mental disorders.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Abdulaziz Mashi Abdullahi, disclosed this at the on-going mental health action committee and stakeholders’ workshop in Abuja.

Abdullahi attributed the country’s high burden of mental disorders to inadequate attention paid to mental illnesses, misconceptions and lack of awareness on the part of the Nigerian public.

He added that more people will be disabled by psychological challenges than complications arising from HIV/AIDS, heart disease, accidents, and wars combined by the year 2020.

He identified ways of addressing the country’s mental health burden to include: fast-tracking the enactment of the Mental Health Act as well as the resuscitation of the national mental health action committee for the coordination of stakeholders’ activities on mental health and psychosocial supports in the country.

– Daily Trust