Experts warn as 16,000 Nigerians die by suicide annually<\/p>\n
Health experts have raised concern over growing suicide crisis, revealing that an estimated 16,000 Nigerians die by suicide every year, with young people among the most affected.<\/p>\n
They made this known on Friday at the third Vanguard Mental Health Summit in Lagos, to mark World Mental Health Day 2025, themed, \u201cTaming The Rising Tide of Suiciede in Nigeria\u201d<\/p>\n
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), represented by the agency\u2019s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said suicide has become a serious national issue that the country can no longer afford to ignore.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith 16,000 deaths by suicide reported annually, it is a matter that demands sober reflection. We must discuss it openly to identify ways to address and curb this tragic phenomenon,\u201d Marwa said.<\/p>\n
Marwa explained that drug abuse is closely linked to mental health crises and suicide. He said the agency is repositioning its work beyond law enforcement to include community policing, prevention, harm reduction and social healing.<\/p>\n
He noted that 14.3 million Nigerians abuse drugs, describing the country as a producer, a consumer and a transit point for illicit substances. He stressed that tackling addiction requires combining health, education and community interventions.<\/p>\n
Mental health expert Prof. Taiwo Sheikh said suicide is driven by multiple social, cultural, psychological and economic factors.<\/p>\n
He listed some of these as denial of basic human rights, lack of access to resources, discrimination, job loss, pressure from work or school, relationship breakups, unmet aspirations among young people, forced migration and social media influences.<\/p>\n
Sheikh said 90 per cent of suicide deaths are linked to mental health conditions and substance use disorders, with more than 70 per cent caused by depressive disorders.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe social determinants of suicide and those of mental health conditions are not only similar but they are related. Poor access to effective mental health services is a major risk factor,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He urged policymakers to address the social conditions that drive suicide and to include people with lived experiences in developing prevention strategies.<\/p>\n
Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the Director of Narcotics and Controlled Substances, Ramatu Momodu, warned that suicide is one of the leading causes of death among Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 29.<\/p>\n
She identified depression, unemployment, drug misuse and social isolation as major triggers. She stressed that most suicides are preventable when people have access to early intervention and trusted care.
\n\u201cTrust determines whether people seek help or suffer in silence. Building trust equals building access and reducing preventable deaths,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Editor of Vanguard, Eze Anaba, said the rising poverty rate in the country is worsening mental health problems. He noted that 139 million Nigerians are now living in poverty as reported by World Bank.<\/p>\n
He called on stakeholders to support the decriminalisation of suicide attempts and to improve access to mental health care across the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cMental health is not a luxury. It is a necessity. It is the foundation of productivity, of creativity, of peace of mind,\u201d he said.
\n(Guardian)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Experts warn as 16,000 Nigerians die by suicide annually Health experts have raised concern over growing suicide crisis, revealing that an estimated 16,000 Nigerians die by suicide every year, with young people among the most affected. They made this known on Friday at the third Vanguard Mental Health Summit in Lagos, to mark World Mental […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":149065,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-149064","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-others"],"yoast_head":"\n