Health
Psychiatrists back suicide law reform, demand action on hardship
Seasoned psychiatrists have said decriminalising suicide alone would not be enough to prevent suicidal behaviour among Nigerians.
To curb the burden of suicide, the psychiatrists urged the Federal Government to address poverty, unemployment, insecurity and other socioeconomic challenges that contribute to mental distress among Nigerians.
The Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria made the call while welcoming the approval by the Federal Executive Council for the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to transmit an Executive Bill to the National Assembly seeking to amend the Mental Health Act to decriminalise suicide.
This was contained in a statement on Wednesday signed by APN President, Dr Veronica Nyamali, and Secretary, Prof Kingsley Okonoda.
The PUNCH reports that the FEC had, on August 19, 2026, approved an amendment to the National Mental Health Act to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, disclosed that the reform is targeted at reducing suicide deaths and attempts by 15 per cent by 2030.
Briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting, Pate said suicide remains a major public health concern in Nigeria and globally, citing World Health Organisation data showing it is responsible for more than 7,000 deaths annually in the country, with an estimated 300,000 suicide attempts recorded each year.
“The impact extends beyond the individuals involved; it affects families, friends and communities, with over 450,000 Nigerians requiring psychosocial support annually. Globally, suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people,” the minister said.
While reacting to the move, the APN described the decision as a major milestone in Nigeria’s mental health reform, saying suicide should be approached primarily as a public health and mental health concern rather than a criminal offence.
The association, however, said suicide prevention required a broader response because the factors that influence mental health extend beyond the healthcare system.
The APN stressed that the Federal Government must complement the proposed legal reform with interventions that improve people’s living conditions and access to mental healthcare.
“It is equally important to recognise that the causes and drivers of mental illness and suicidal behaviour extend far beyond the traditional boundaries of the health sector.
“Mental health is profoundly shaped by the social determinants of health—economic hardship, unemployment and underemployment, rising transportation costs, poor roads, inadequate housing, unsafe communities, unreliable electricity and water supply, food insecurity, and the escalating cost of living, among others.
“When citizens are overwhelmed by poverty, insecurity, unemployment, hunger, social isolation and hopelessness, the burden on mental health inevitably increases.
“The government, therefore, has a crucial role to play beyond the health sector. Every meaningful intervention that makes life safer, more dignified and more economically viable is, in itself, a mental health intervention and suicide prevention,” the psychiatrists said.
Beyond socioeconomic interventions, the psychiatrists urged the government to accelerate the implementation of the Mental Health Act 2021 and expand access to quality and affordable mental healthcare.
“The APN had hoped that this significant announcement would come alongside a clear and decisive plan for the immediate implementation of the Mental Health Act, 2021. The Act has remained largely on paper for far too long, despite its enormous potential to transform mental healthcare delivery across the country.
“Decriminalising suicide must be accompanied by a deliberate expansion of access to quality mental health services.
“Accessibility must be matched by affordability. Mental healthcare cannot become meaningful to Nigerians if essential medicines remain unavailable or unaffordable,” the APN said.
The association also called for the urgent review of the Essential Medicines List for Mental Health and the inclusion of essential psychiatric medicines in the National Health Insurance Authority’s coverage to reduce the financial burden on patients and their families.
The APN urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to sustain the momentum created by the proposed decriminalisation of suicide, stressing that legislative reform must be accompanied by practical interventions that address the social and economic conditions that leave Nigerians vulnerable to mental health crises.
The association also called for stronger action against substance use, drug trafficking and the illicit distribution and misuse of psychoactive substances, warning that these factors could contribute to suicidal crises.
APN added that suicide prevention should ultimately focus on restoring hope, dignity, social connection and a sense of meaning among people experiencing mental health challenges.
“At its core, suicide prevention is about restoring hope, dignity, connection and meaning. People are more likely to hold on to life when life offers them a reason to live,” the APN said.
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