During Vanguard’s 3rd Mental Health Summit at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, Prof. Taiwo Sheikh, who represents Lifeline International in Africa, appealed to Nigerians to prioritise their mental well-being, noting that mental health is essential for everyone.
In his keynote speech, Prof. Sheikh explained that mental health should be treated as a vital part of overall health, not just discussed during illness or crisis. He said it includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being — influencing how people feel, act, relate, and manage stress. “We all have mental health, and it’s our responsibility to nurture and protect it to avoid distress and illness,” he stated.
He pointed out that the stigma surrounding mental illness and poor access to care are worsening Nigeria’s mental health challenges, leading to an alarming increase in suicide cases. “Suicide itself is not a mental illness, but most suicide deaths are linked to mental health conditions. Ninety per cent of them are related to mental health and substance abuse disorders, and over 70 per cent stem from mental health problems. The lack of treatment access remains a serious risk factor,” he said.
According to WHO data, suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 29 globally and the second in Africa, after road crashes. In Nigeria, around 15,000 suicides occur each year, though the actual number may be higher because of underreporting and criminalisation.
Prof. Sheikh urged the government to develop a national suicide prevention strategy, decriminalise suicide, and create funding for mental health support and intervention programmes. He ended by emphasising that safeguarding mental health should be a national goal since it affects every citizen, regardless of social or economic status.
Source: Nigeria Vanguard on 17 October, 2025
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