A report from the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that 20 million Nigerians, making up 20% of the country’s population, are currently dealing with mental health issues.

Dr. Azubike Aliche, Secretary of the Board of Trustees at the Nigeria-American Institute for Mental Health (NAIMH), revealed this during a mental health training program organized by the institute in Owerri on Tuesday, May 27.

The training program is designed to help non-psychiatrists learn how to screen for mental health symptoms and support individuals in managing those symptoms effectively.

Dr. Aliche expressed concern over Nigeria’s high depression rates, which he noted are among the highest globally. He urged collective efforts to address the growing crisis and shift the current narrative.

He further stressed that only 10% of Nigerians suffering from mental health conditions have access to adequate care, emphasizing the urgent need for improvement.

Imo State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Chioma Egu, described the mental health crisis as a global issue. She encouraged the institute to collaborate with the government and make the most of existing mental health policies.

Justice Ulunta, a training facilitator from the Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu, called on the government to invest more resources into training mental health experts and upgrading healthcare facilities.