Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has urged relevant agencies and compassionate Nigerians to extend their support to those grappling with mental health challenges across the nation.
In a statement shared on his X page on Thursday, Obi expressed solidarity with the global community in commemorating World Mental Health Day.
He emphasised the importance of raising awareness about mental health issues.Obi further highlighted that mental health is a crucial aspect of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
He stressed that if neglected, it could significantly hamper the nation’s overall productivity and development.
“A healthy nation, they say, is a wealthy nation. I dare say, a mentally healthy nation, is a more productive nation. In Nigeria, mental health remains one of the critical health issues not given the due attention it deserves. The worsening economic situation resulting from hunger, poverty, and income inequalities in the country, coupled with other socio-political issues affecting the nation, have continued to fuel a growing menace of mental health cases.
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“The National Institute of Health reports that about 40 to 60 million Nigerians suffer various forms of mental ailment. This translates to about 1 in every 5 Nigerians, battling with mental health issues. Suicide cases in the country, fueled by anxiety and depression, have remained on the increase. It is reported that Nigeria has one of the highest rates of suicide and depression in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“The current rate of suicide in Nigeria is 9.50% out of 100,000 people. Drug abuse is also another contributor to mental health decadence in our society. According to reports, an estimated 14.3 million people aged between 15 and 64 years in Nigeria, are addicted to drugs and substance abuse. Nigeria is also ranked 3rd most stressful country in the world, which contributes to different mental illnesses in the nation.
“The above grim statistics reflect the lack of attention given to mental health, a critical contributor to national development in our society. A nation that truly wants to improve its productive capacity must pay attention to the health of its citizens.
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“A day like this reminds us, as leaders, to prioritise the well-being of our people, by not only investing more in the health sector but putting in place policies and measures that will improve the lives of our people through improved standards of living. We are also reminded as a people to always seek medical attention when faced with any mental health challenge and to show love and support to our people who are already contending with the challenge. We remain committed to building a New Nigeria where everyone’s well-being will be prioritized.”
