As Nigeria faces escalating economic challenges, a growing number of citizens are expressing concerns about their mental health, with rising cases of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts reported nationwide.
The worsening economic situation, characterized by soaring food, transportation, and healthcare costs, has severely diminished purchasing power.
This has left millions struggling to meet basic needs and has contributed to a mental health crisis.
Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye, Medical Director at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Yaba, Lagos, has noted a marked increase in mental health cases.
“Previously, our hospital saw five to ten patients daily; now, we’re receiving about 25 to 30 patients, representing an increase of over 200 percent,” he shared with Business Day.
He also mentioned that the facility is now registering around 750 new cases each month, highlighting the immense strain on mental health services.
This crisis reaches beyond hospital walls, impacting homes and communities where individuals like Chike, a father of three, face relentless pressure to provide.