Federal Govt Signs Mental Health Bill Into Law, As Stakeholders X-ray Benefits

The long awaiting Mental Health Bill has been signed into law, even as stakeholders are confidence the bill will not only address the high incident of suicide in the country, but help improve the mental health of Nigerians.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), recently confirmed that there has been a 13 per cent increase in the number of people with mental health conditions and that over one billion people on earth are presently living with the condition.

In Nigeria, over 90 per cent of those who need care do not access care, due to the fact that the ratio of mental health practitioners to patients is very low. 

For instance, consultant Neuropsychiatrist, Maymunah Kadiri told me that only 250 psychiatrists are serving a population of over 200 million Nigerians as against WHO recommendation which is 1:1000, adding that with the brain drain, the situation is getting worse and funding is largely out of pocket.

To Kadiri, singing the mental health bill into law is the right way to go in addressing mental health issues in Nigeria. “After 65 years of using the Lunacy Act of 1958, Nigeria finally has mental health law that will improve mental healthcare services in the country,” she averred.

Speaking on the benefits of the law, the consultant said the law ensures that mental health services are available at primary, secondary and tertiary health institutions across the country.

“Unlike the the Lunacy Act of 1958, which was not only outdated, but also inhumane, the new mental health law ensures human rights protections for those with mental health conditions. It improves care by guaranteeing those receiving treatments have the right to participate in formulating their medical plans and eliminating forced treatment, seclusion, and other methods of restraint in facilities among other benefits,” she stated.

In the same vein, the president of the Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria (APN), Prof Taiwo Obindo said the new law is a victory for Mental Health Care and practice in this nation, adding that Nigeria is now part of the global space with best global practice.

Obindo me that the signing of the bill into law will ensure a department of Mental Health Services in the Federal Ministry of Health and the establishment of a Mental Health Fund. The law also made provision for the establishment of human rights protections for those with mental health conditions, such as banning discrimination in housing, employment, medical, and other social services, he added.

“There will be an improved care by guaranteeing those receiving treatments have the right to participate in formulating their medical plans and eliminating forced treatment, seclusion, and other methods of restraint in facilities, additionally, expanding community-based coverage. The law will also address the way and manner mentally ill populations are to be catered for without stigma or discrimination,” he explained.