Depression and mental illness is a significant challenge that people face worldwide, irrespective of their location or socioeconomic status. Despite the fact that Nigeria is a country with vast economic potential and a burgeoning population, its economic situation is particularly daunting. Tough times are having a profound impact on the mental health of the people. The pressures of work, financial worries due to the ongoing economic uncertainties coupled with relationship difficulties have left many battling with depression and mental illness.
Individuals don’t have to be naked or unkempt before being diagnosed with mental illness. There are many persons who are looking decent and clean and yet have mental health issues. These individuals could be seen at workplaces, in families, on the road as demonstrated by road-users that engage in road rage, among others.
On a consistent basis, there are stories of depression and mental illness characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities. In other words, the day-to-day functioning of victims becomes impaired.
Nigerians are going through a transition, and facing a lot of economic challenges especially with regard to the fuel price hike with a spiral effect on the cost of living across every other sector. For instance, school fees have gone up, cost of transportation is high, cost of basic commodities has hit the roof and yet remunerations have not commensurately increased. That is a huge challenge for the people.
Many people who try to develop their financial plans and balance their personal and family budgets are not sure what the economic indices portend in the days ahead.
There is a 2022 Report by the Association of Psychiatrics in Nigeria which indicates that some 60 million Nigerians have mental health issues. Several reports have also showed that Nigeria has Africa’s caseload of depression, and ranked 16th in the world in the index or frequency of suicide or attempted suicide. This has prompted concerned persons to request that policemen mount guard on bridges across the country particularly bridges over water bodies or bridges that have high altitudes now considered suicide hotspots.
Though experts have explained that mental illness can be caused by situations such as environmental stress, genetic factors, among others, there is no doubt that the Nigerian economy and its associated challenges play a significant role in the mental health of its citizens.
However, mental illness is not a sign of weakness or personal failure; it is a medical condition that can affect anyone. One could feel anxious, sad, stressed or pressured, it doesn’t mean one has a mental health challenge or a disorder.
Apart from economic hardships, there is a unique set of obstacles Nigerians are facing in dealing with mental health issues. The traditional sources of social support or buffers are waning. The family support system is not what it used to be because parents are too busy to communicate with each other and their children. This has led to frustrated spouses and children.
The shocks are real. For instance, young people who have thousands of friends in the social media are painfully aware that they are lonely immediately they disconnect from the social media space. Their mental health plummets when they realize that they don’t have somebody that can genuinely have their back. There are also people across different categories having a lot of stress and difficulties in this regard.
The link between the Nigerian economy and mental health is multifaceted. Economic struggles have led to various stressors such as financial insecurity, social isolation, and unmet basic needs including food, housing, and health care which have taken a toll on the mental well-being of the citizenry.
The country presents a complex environment that significantly promotes economic instability, unemployment, poverty, and limited access to quality health care. Income inequality in the country is pronounced, with a small percentage of the population holding a disproportionate share of the nation’s wealth. Such economic disparity has brought about feelings of injustice, social unrest, and disempowerment, affecting the mental health of the disadvantaged. These are some of the key factors that have led to depression and mental illness in the country.
Dealing with mental health challenges in the country requires developing resilience which involves creative solutions and adapting to changing circumstances, setting realistic goals, and cultivating a sense of hope.
In mitigating the triggers for mental health issues across the spectrum, there are laws that need to be implemented. When the late Prof. Olukoye Ransome-Kuti was Minister of Health, in 1991, mental health was included as the 9th component of primary care. Every primary care worker received some basic training on mental health. Now, it could be argued that training is grossly insufficient and outmoded but it can be improved so that patients can receive treatment just as other patients go to primary health centres and receive cure. The national primary health care development agency which has representatives in every state can handle the responsibility.
There is some optimism that the plight of Nigerians with mental illnesses could be given better attention with the replacement of the Lunacy Act of 1958 (Nigeria’s first mental health Act) which gave medical practitioners the power to detain persons suffering from mental illnesses. That happened in the past. The National Mental Health Act 2021 was signed into law in January this year and it seeks to promote and protect the lives of people suffering from mental illnesses while also addressing the flaws in the Lunacy Act.
Seeking professional help is essential, as health professionals can provide guidance and therapeutic techniques to manage health concerns. Clinical psychologists have said the human mind is incredibly adaptable and by engaging in physical activities, one can lift one’s mood and release stress.
Building a support network of understanding individuals creates a strong foundation and reduces the social isolation often associated with financial struggles.
Nurturing healthy relationships and spending quality time with loved ones after routine activities can provide a sense of comfort as opposed to isolation that can exert mental health challenges.
In Nigeria, mental health issues are often stigmatized and misunderstood. This could be reduced through advocacy for improved mental health services. Supporting organizations dedicated to this cause can help improve access to care and shift societal attitudes.
Mental health is allocated only about 2.9% of the budget. Just about 5 out of the 36 states of the federation have one person each designated as a desk officer for mental health issues. That is grossly insufficient because mental health is an integral part of health.
Access to quality mental health services is limited for many Nigerians. There should be mental health equity or mental health access to everybody.
Government should invest massively in mental health infrastructure and training to increase the availability of mental health professionals and services across the country. This can mitigate the challenge of individuals in seeking timely assistance for their mental health needs.
Fighting corruption can help to bring down the cost of goods and services. There is a need for government to focus on policies and initiatives that stimulate job creation, particularly among the youth.
Generally, boosting the economy will go
a long way to reduce the frequency of depression and mental illness. Improved infrastructure that includes roads, bridges,
power plants, among others, will make it easy for businesses to operate and for
people to access mental health services.
Moses Amadi
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