BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, says many Nigerians are mentally challenged by the biting economic hardship being experienced in the country currently.
According to him, the situation is quite troubling and causing deepening mental health crises across board for most people in the country with hope of better days seeming to wane daily.
This is as he also tasked the government to be proactive in finding urgent solutions to the crisis, claiming that the worsening poverty and unemployment have pushed many Nigerians into crime and criminality.
In a tweet on his X handle while commemorating Mental Health Day celebrated annually on October 10, the former Governor of Anambra State said, “As the world celebrates Mental Health Day this weekend, it is troubling to note that a nation like Nigeria has deepening mental health crises which recent report from World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that about 40 million people are living with mental health conditions, and grossly fewer doctors to attend to mental health, as fewer than 300 psychiatrists are available in the country.
“This clearly shows Nigeria’s growing disinterest and neglect of the health sector. Mental health is more important than physical health. Nigerians are now feeling so overwhelmed by hardship that they are mentally affected.
“Poverty, unemployment, and the daily battle to survive have pushed many of our people, especially the youth, into hopelessness, criminality and an increasing rate of suicide.”
While challenging the government to address poverty, unemployment and hunger, the Labour Party Chieftain described them as contributing factors to the growing mental health problems that are affecting many Nigerians today.
For him, “The government must treat this as a public health emergency. Nigeria needs more mental health professionals and a massive investment in mental health infrastructure with well-equipped psychiatric hospitals in all geopolitical zones.
“We must also address the issues of poverty, unemployment and hunger that are contributing to this mental problem and build a nation that heals, uplifts, and gives every citizen a reason to live.”
Importantly, the former Governor warned that, “Nigeria’s progress will never be measured by the wealth of its leaders but by human capital, which is the well-being of its people.”
