Experts Seek Swift National Mental Health Act Implementation
In commemoration of this year’s World Health Day, some mental health experts have called on the federal government to swiftly implement the National Mental Health Act to ensure the well-being of individuals and society.
The experts, in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos, emphasised that the implementation of the act is crucial for improving the country’s wellness.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the Mental Health Bill, harmonised by the National Assembly in 2021, to replace the Lunacy Act of 1958.
A consultant psychiatrist, Prof. Taiwo Sheikh, expressed concern that many Nigerians lacked good health, as they were not in a state of optimum well-being, stressing the importance of understanding health as more than the absence of illness.
Sheikh, who is also the coordinator of an NGO known as the Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group, reiterated that the implementation of the Mental Health Act is important for improving the country’s wellness.
“Good health entails a state of well-being, which encompasses physical, social, and mental wellness. Unfortunately, good health is grossly lacking among the Nigerian populace. The new Mental Health Act, signed into law on January 5, 2023, represents a significant reform in Nigeria’s mental health legal framework, aligning it with international guidelines.
“The Act provides a robust framework for addressing mental health issues comprehensively. It is designed to improve access to mental health care, promote early diagnosis and intervention, and ensure that mental health services are integrated into our primary healthcare system. Its implementation is crucial for comprehensive access to mental health services for all, including women and children, even at the grassroots,” he explained.
Also, a consultant neuropsychiatrist, Dr. Maymunah Kadiri, pointed out that many women experience postpartum depression after childbirth, lamenting that in most cases, these women do not receive the necessary mental healthcare attention.
Kadiri, also the medical director of Pinnacle Medical Services Ltd., emphasised that the implementation and domestication of the Act in all states would ensure that women, especially those in rural areas, have access to the mental healthcare they require.
She further highlighted the urgent need for the implementation of the Act to guarantee access and support and also called on the state house of assembly and stakeholders in the health sector to ensure the implementation and domestication of the law in all states of the federation.
“The birth of a baby can trigger a variety of powerful emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. But it can also lead to some unexpected depression. Most new moms experience postpartum depression, also known as ‘baby blues,’ which commonly includes mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping.
“Unfortunately, the majority of these women, particularly in rural areas, are not provided the necessary mental healthcare and support. I believe that the implementation and domestication of the Act in all states will guarantee access to mental healthcare and support, even at the grassroots level,” Kadiri explained.
Experts Seek Swift National Mental Health Act Implementation is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
