Health
MENTAL health experts have raised concerns over the shortage of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses and psychologists in Nigeria, warning that the gap could undermine access to timely and effective mental healthcare.
The experts spoke on Friday during a mental health awareness walk organised by the Behavioural Medicine Unit (BMU) of Karu General Hospital (KGH), Abuja.
The walk was to mark the 2026 World Mental Health Day with the theme: “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices Real Change”.
The experts called for increased government investment in mental health services and personnel.
Dr Chibuzo Anoji, the Consultant Psychiatrist and Head of BMU at the hospital identified inadequate manpower and the migration of healthcare professionals abroad as major challenges affecting mental healthcare delivery.
Anoji said the shortage had made it necessary to strengthen community based mental health services and train primary healthcare workers to identify and manage mental health conditions.
She said implementing the Mental Health Act would help expand access to care by enabling more people to receive assistance closer to their communities.
The psychiatrist also identified stigma and misconceptions about mental illness as barriers preventing many Nigerians from seeking professional treatment.
She said many patients first sought spiritual interventions before visiting hospitals, resulting in delays that could affect treatment outcomes.
”The significance of the mental health day today, is to boost aweaness, people should know that it’s not a spiritual issue but an illnesses that should and can be medically treated”, she stressed.
Also speaking, Dr Hadiza Mustapha, M.D and Chief Consultant Psychiatrist, said psychiatric care required specialised personnel, including psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses and psychologists.
Mustapha who was represented by Dr Aniefiok Udoh, the Administrative Secretary, called for increased government funding, improved hospital infrastructure and sustained public awareness to strengthen mental healthcare services.
Dr Emmanuela Ego, another psychiatrist at the hospital, identified substance use among young people as a growing concern, citing peer pressure, family challenges, environmental influences and economic stress as contributing factors.
The experts called on families, schools and communities to recognise early signs of mental health problems and encourage affected persons to seek professional assistance.
They also emphasised the need for continued awareness and sufficient government and community backed efforts to promote a healthy mental health condition of Nigeria as a significance for today’s event.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Mental Health Day, commemorated annually on Oct. 10, is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma.(NAN)
A.I
Oct. 9, 2026
Tags: Dr Chibuzo Anoji 2026 World Mental Health Day Dr Aniefiok Udoh Dr Hadiza Mustapha
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