Lawmakers Move To Tackle Suicide In Nigeria

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to establish a counseling center to stop suicide attempts in the country.

The House of Representatives also urged the Ministry to collaborate with relevant institutions to ensure that research on mental health are put into practice to ensure evidence-based care to Nigerian citizens.

This was sequel to the adoption of a motion on the need to prioritize and implement the Provisions of the Mental Health Law 2021 to tackle suicide and suicidality in Nigeria by a member from Anambra State, Mr Uchenna Nwachukwu, at plenary.

The Lawmaker stated that the risk factors for suicide such as mental health conditions, substance abuse, access to lethal means, prolonged stress, unemployment, financial crisis, and child abuse and neglect pose huge threats to Nigerians.

He said there has not been adequate sensitisation on the provisions of the Mental law Act and guidelines on how people struggling with mental health problems can receive help.

According to him, the awareness campaigns will reduce stigma and ensure the acceptability of the
regulations to protect the dignity of people struggling with mental health.

“On 12 July 2023, a teenager took her life after being raped in Oyo State, one out of many cases of suicide are under reported and mostly unreported in Nigeria due to social stigmatization.

In January 2023, Joseph Olona, a 300level student at FUTA, and 50 year old Ojo Ogundeji both committed suicide on January 14 and 23, respectively,” he added.

The House therefore mandated its Committee on Healthcare Services to evaluate the implementation of the content of the Mental Health Act and conduct a needs assessment of its full implementation.