A psychiatrist at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Dr. Emmanuel Abayomi, has revealed that about 60 million Nigerians are currently grappling with various forms of mental illness. He disclosed this on Friday during a workshop organised by the NAS Medical Mission under the aegis of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) to mark this year’s World Mental Health Day in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Speaking on the theme “Access to Services — Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,” Abayomi said the figure far exceeds the World Health Organisation’s estimate of one in eight persons globally, putting Nigeria’s rate at about one in five. He listed anxiety disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress, and substance abuse as leading causes, while stressing that prolonged phone isolation and poor lifestyle habits worsen the problem.
The psychiatrist urged Nigerians to prioritise adequate sleep, hydration, physical activity, and social interaction, noting that “mental illness is treatable” if timely help is sought.
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Other speakers, including the Ogun State Alternate Medicine Board chairman, Balogun Nurudeen Olaleye, and Capoon of Ash Montana Deck, Ganiyu Omitogun, emphasized integrating traditional healing, community-based programs, and improved access to mental health care to promote national well-being.