On the occasion of this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) under the theme “Creating hope through action”, the Federal Government has emphasised the critical need for improved economic support, increased access to quality mental health services, and a safer environment free from lethal means in addressing the issue of suicide.
World Suicide Prevention Day is observed annually on September 10th to raise awareness about the preventability of suicide. Globally, more than 700,000 individuals take their own lives each year, with 77 per cent of these cases occurring in low and middle-income countries, according to the World Health Organization.
During a briefing to commemorate World Suicide Prevention Day, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by Adebayo Peters, the Director of Neglected Tropical Diseases at the Federal Ministry of Health, underscored the urgency of creating an environment conducive to peer and community engagement. He also stressed the importance of teaching individuals coping and problem-solving skills with the aim of reducing the incidence of suicide, especially among those most vulnerable.
Dr. Pate highlighted several risk factors associated with suicide, including a history of pre-existing mental disorders, undiagnosed mental health issues, substance abuse, social isolation, significant life events such as the loss of loved ones, unemployment, and access to means of self-harm.
He said, “The consequences of suicide extend far beyond the loss of life, affecting the families and communities left behind. Those who have lost loved ones to suicide often endure long-lasting, devastating effects. It is, therefore, imperative that all stakeholders take every necessary action to prevent suicide.”
Dr. Walter Mulombo, the Country Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), noted, “In 2013, the World Health Assembly adopted the Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030, prioritising suicide prevention as a key objective to reduce global suicide rates by 10 percent by 2020.
“Nigeria has demonstrated its commitment to this target by establishing the National Mental Health Programme within the Federal Ministry of Health, providing strategic leadership for mental health interventions, including the implementation of the new National Mental Health Act of 2021.”
Dr. Tunde Ojo, the National Coordinator of the National Mental Health Programme at the Federal Ministry of Health, emphasized that Nigeria currently faces a significant treatment gap in mental health services of about 90 percent.
He stated, “The mental health treatment gap in Nigeria is like 90 percent. Our approach going forward is the integration of mental health into existing programs at the primary healthcare level because that is closest to the people, and that is public health, and that is destigmatizing it and taking it to the last mile.”