A staggering 70 percent of Nigerians battling mental health conditions are not receiving any form of treatment, according to a leading neuropsychiatric expert and Chief Medical Director of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Akure, Dr. Sunday Sajo.
Dr. Sajo disclosed this during the 2025 World Mental Health Day commemoration held in Akure on Friday.
The event, themed “ _Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,”_ was jointly organised by the Ondo State Ministry of Health and the state Neuropsychiatric Hospital.
“It is disturbing that mental health continues to receive far less attention than physical health,” Sajo said. “The reality is that many Nigerians lack even the basic awareness of their mental well-being, let alone access to professional care. That’s why this observance is so critical.”
He expressed concern that despite rising cases of trauma linked to terrorism, kidnapping, displacement, and violent crimes, mental health support remains largely ignored in Nigeria’s response to emergencies.
“People receive food, clothing, and shelter — but the psychological wounds are left unattended,” Sajo added. “Mental health is a right, not a privilege, and every Nigerian deserves access to it.”
*Mental Health Affects Everyone, Whether We Acknowledge It or Not — Officials*
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Adeniran Ikuomola, Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Ministry of Health, emphasized the need for inclusive mental health policies.
“Mental health affects us all in one way or another,” he said in a message delivered by Dr. Stephen Fagbemi, Director of Public Health. “Unfortunately, it’s still the most neglected part of healthcare, with only a few partners actively supporting the government.”
Dr. Ikuomola commended the Ondo State Contributory Health Insurance Commission for including mental health services in its coverage — a move that sets the pace for broader inclusion.
He stressed the need to incorporate mental health support in emergency responses and issued a caution against the public sharing of images of disaster victims, as such actions can cause long-term psychological distress to affected families.
“We must learn to protect the identity and dignity of victims. In emergencies, people with mental health issues — and even emergency responders — are among the most vulnerable,” he added.
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💬 No Health Without Mental Health — Stakeholders Urge End to Stigma, More Support
Mr. Stephen Adesida, Programme Officer at the ministry, called for unified action to promote mental health nationwide.
“There is no health without mental health,” he said. “We must stop discriminating against people with mental illness. The mind can fall sick just like any other part of the body.”
In her remarks, Mrs. Yetunde Jeyfous, Deputy Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ondo State, encouraged Nigerians to treat mental well-being as a top priority.
“If you’re struggling, seek help,” she urged. “And as a society, we must foster open, judgment-free conversations around mental health and addiction.”
Representatives from partner organisations, including APIN Public Health Initiative, Soladeff Epilepsy Foundation, and the Slum and Rural Health Initiative, also stressed the urgent need for increased awareness and investment in mental health.
NAN
