OPINION: How Poor Mental Health Impact Communities

Mental health, a cornerstone of well-being, is alarmingly overlooked in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape. Millions endure silent suffering, and the ripple effects are felt by communities, leading to poverty, unemployment, crime, and social instability. Despite a growing understanding, the crisis is exacerbated by systemic failures, such as policy neglect, insufficient funding, societal stigma, and workforce shortages. This article critically dissects the impact of poor mental health on communities, the deficiencies of the system, and the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to bridge the gap between demand and access to quality care.

The Community Effects of Poor Mental Health

Mental health disorders are not just personal struggles; they affect economies, social structures, and overall societal stability:

Economic Impact

The economic impact of mental health issues is profound, significantly reducing productivity. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy $1 trillion per year in lost productivity. In Nigeria, where services are underfunded, many affected individuals struggle to maintain employment, leading to financial instability and, in extreme cases, homelessness. The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) suggests that lack of mental healthcare contributes to high unemployment, as affected individuals struggle with cognitive functions and social interactions necessary for work. Businesses also suffer from high absenteeism, reduced productivity, and increased healthcare costs due to untreated mental illnesses.

Social Consequences

Untreated mental health issues fuel substance abuse, domestic violence, and crime. Many individuals with severe mental disorders resort to self-medication through drug and alcohol abuse. Nigeria has witnessed a surge in substance abuse, particularly among youth, with mental health disorders playing a significant role in this crisis. Rising addiction rates correlate with increased crime, including theft, hooliganism, assault, and domestic violence.

Stigma and Cultural Barriers

A significant barrier to mental healthcare in Nigeria is stigma. Many view mental illnesses as spiritual afflictions rather than medical conditions, discouraging individuals from seeking professional help for fear of being labeled “possessed” or “cursed.” Traditional healing methods, while culturally significant, are often ineffective for severe conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Individuals are frequently subjected to confinement in religious houses, exorcisms, or physical abuse under the guise of treatment.

The Systemic Failures in Nigeria’s Mental Health Sector

Despite the far-reaching effects of poor mental health, Nigeria’s mental healthcare system is failing due to weak policies, underfunding, and a severe shortage of professionals.

Lack of Government Commitment and Policy Implementation

For decades, Nigeria lacked concrete legislation on mental health, operating under the outdated Lunacy Act of 1958, which treated individuals with mental illness as criminals. In January 2023, Nigeria passed the National Mental Health Act to establish a Mental Health Fund, safeguard patient rights, and promote community-based care. However, bureaucratic inefficiencies and a lack of political will have stalled its implementation.

Inadequate Funding and Resource Allocation

Mental healthcare in Nigeria receives an alarmingly low percentage of the national health budget. Over 90% of the allocated funds go to a handful of psychiatric hospitals, leaving community-based mental health services severely underfunded. This centralized approach isolates mental healthcare from the general health system, making it inaccessible to most Nigerians.

Nigeria has only eight federal psychiatric hospitals serving over 200 million people, primarily in urban areas, leaving rural populations with no professional mental healthcare. Mental health receives less than 4% of Nigeria’s healthcare budget, leaving hospitals without essential medications, therapy programs, or rehabilitation centers. Without investment in preventive care, crisis intervention, and rehabilitation, mental illness remains ignored until it manifests in tragic ways, such as Nigeria’s rising suicide rates.

Shortage of Mental Health Professionals

Nigeria has only about 250 practicing psychiatrists for a population exceeding 200 million, highlighting the severity of the crisis. The “brain drain” worsens the situation as skilled psychiatrists and psychologists migrate abroad for better opportunities. The shortage leads to longer wait times, misdiagnoses, and inadequate treatment, leaving underserved communities reliant on traditional healers or religious leaders for treatment, often with harmful consequences.

Mental health services are also not covered under Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), making treatment unaffordable for many. Private consultations with psychiatrists or therapists cost up to ₦50,000 per session, a price beyond the reach of most Nigerians.

Repurposing Efforts: A Roadmap for Tackling the Mental Health Crisis

Despite these challenges, several strategies can improve mental healthcare and its impact on communities:

Integration into Primary Health Care

Mental health services should be incorporated into primary healthcare to improve accessibility. Training primary healthcare workers to recognize and manage common mental health disorders can reduce the burden on psychiatric hospitals. This approach ensures early diagnosis and treatment, preventing conditions from worsening.

Community-Based Interventions

Community involvement is not just a strategy, but a crucial part of the solution in addressing mental health issues. By training religious leaders and local influencers to provide psychosocial support, developing peer-support programs, and expanding mobile mental health clinics, we can empower communities to be part of the solution and bring hope for a better future.

Training religious leaders and local influencers to provide psychosocial support.

Developing peer-support programs where individuals with lived experiences mentor those currently struggling.

Expanding mobile mental health clinics to reach underserved communities, providing therapy sessions, medication, and mental health screenings.

Public Awareness Campaigns

Educational campaigns are critical in reducing stigma and encouraging people to seek help. Media outlets, religious organizations, and schools should actively promote mental health awareness. These efforts can tackle misconceptions, provide accurate information, and create a more supportive and enlightened environment for those struggling with mental health disorders.

Improved Funding and Policy Implementation

Governments must allocate more resources to mental health care. The practical implementation of the National Mental Health Act requires sustained funding, proper monitoring, and accountability. Increased investment in mental health will improve individual well-being and contribute to national development.

Digital and Telemedicine Solutions

With technological advancements, digital mental health platforms can bridge the gap between patients and professionals. Telemedicine services, mental health mobile apps, and online counseling can make care more accessible and affordable, especially in remote areas.

The impact of a failing mental health system extends beyond individuals, affecting families, communities, and economies. Systemic failures, including inadequate policies, poor funding, workforce shortages, and stigma, continue to hinder progress. The time to act is now. Mental health is not a luxury; it is a fundamental human right. Until it is treated as such, communities will continue to suffer the consequences of an ailing system.

Saidi Suara is a respected public health analyst and interventionist. He is also a manager within the Institute of Church Office Management (ICOM) and a recipient of the Goodwill Ambassador for Democracy bestowed by the European Union in Nigeria.

Disclaimer: This article is entirely the opinion of the writer and does not represent the views of The Whistler.

OPINION: How Poor Mental Health Impact Communities is first published on The Whistler Newspaper