Mental health experts are warning that tough economic times in the country might lead to more people having mental health problems.
They believe that the number of mental health issues will go up in 2024 but didn’t say by how much. Right now, about 60 million people in Nigeria are dealing with mental illnesses.
Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye, who runs the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Yaba, Lagos, said they saw twice as many patients in 2023 because of economic and social problems.
There’s already been a suicide in 2024 linked to these kinds of pressures, adding to three similar cases at the end of 2023.
The United Nations expects a small increase in global unemployment in 2024. In Nigeria, the unemployment rate slightly increased from 4.1% to 4.2% in the first half of 2023.
Professor Taiwo Obindo, who leads the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, said tough economic times make it hard for people to meet their basic needs, leading to more stress and mental illnesses. He pointed out that poverty, lack of jobs, not enough work, and increasing crime like kidnapping and robbery make the problem worse.
Obindo also said that many young people are using drugs because they feel hopeless, which is making mental illnesses even more common.
He described the situation as very dangerous and said there’s a big need to create jobs and make it easier for small businesses to grow to help with this problem.
Obindo explained that not having a job can mental illnesses worse because working helps people feel like they are contributing to society.
He also mentioned that most people who commit suicide have a mental health issue, often depression related to big problems in their life.
The psychiatrist also talked about how the mental health field is struggling because many experts are leaving the country, putting more pressure on those who stay.
He praised the new Mental Health Act and the decision to stop treating suicide as a crime as good steps forward. He wants the new laws to be used all over the country to help improve mental health care.
Dr. Olamijulo Fatiregun, a psychiatrist from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, said that the economic problems are going to make mental health issues worse. The rising cost of living and not enough jobs are big reasons for this increase.
He pointed out that many people have anxiety and depression that isn’t noticed until it’s very serious. Fatiregun wants more people to know about mental illnesses and to help each other recognize and deal with these issues.