Speaking on behalf of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, its president, Prof. Taiwo James Obindo, has called for legislative reforms to decriminalize attempted suicide.
He made his appeal at a session of stakeholders organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Specialty Healthcare, stressing the importance of the Mental Health Act.
He stated that founding National Counselling Centers nationwide to deal with mental health issues is ineffective when attempted suicide is still considered a crime under both the Criminal Act and the Penal Code.
“Hence the first step would be a move to decriminalize attempted suicide. Criminalizing attempted Suicide has proven to be a major barrier for suicide prevention intervention service uptake.
“The archaic law, inherited from our Colonial masters, in an attempt to stop the act of suicide did not address the thoughts and social determinants of Suicide. Significant evidence showed that 90% of those who take their lives through suicide had a background history of Mental Health Conditions; out of which 80% are attributable to Depression due to various bio-psycho-social aetiologies.
“Why do we, as a Nation, then punish individuals who are ill and need medical attention rather than prosecution? It will shock you to know that Nigeria, the giant of Africa, is lagging behind as quite a number of our neighbouring nations have abrogated that law.
“Establishing a Counselling center, without abrogating this archaic law would put, even the counselors at risk because the law also prescribes penalties for those who are aware of the plan but did not report,” he said.
He stressed the need to enforce the Mental Health Act, noting that it passed rigorous legislative processes, was signed by the President in 2022, and has been formally recorded as national law.
This, he said would be the address the “many years of neglect of this important aspect of our nationhood.”
Obindo said a requirement for the effective implementation of the Act is the establishment of a Mental Health Services Department in the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH).
Obindo said a requirement for the effective implementation of the Act is the establishment of a Mental Health Services Department in the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH).
Read also: Specialists Seeks Reconsideration Of Law Criminalizing Suicide
“It will shock you to hear that, more than a year later, the department is yet to be established. Most of, if not all, the items in your plan are meant to be supervised by this department in obedience to the rule of law! Hence, the establishment of the department is germane to the success of all your plans,” he said.
He said the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria is an umbrella body of all Nigerian Psychiatrists in the Country and other allied Practitioners.
He said they have been at the forefront of campaigns and advocacy for global best practices.
He lauded the Committee for the initiative, saying when well-implemented, would positively impact the hitherto neglected Mental Health, persons affected by Mental Health Conditions, and Mental Health Practitioners.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Special Healthcare, Dr Alex Egbona, has called for stakeholders’ partnership in addressing mental health challenges and other related health cases.
The lawmaker said the committee was created to provide the requisite legislative frameworks for improved healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
He described the session as a joint effort by the committee to share details of its mandate and planned activities with relevant institutions and organizations.
“I, therefore, solicit the support and partnership of all stakeholders, our development partners, international NGOs, and CSOs, you are all urged to take interest in building the capacity of the committee members and staff to enhance the efficacy of the committee.
He encouraged the audience to consider their five thematic areas—Mental Health, Trauma and Obstetrics Fistula, Oral Health and ENT, Blood Transfusion, Blood and Management, and Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine—and to engage with the committee for maximum impact.