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Yes, mental health has been neglected. People with mental health issues are neglected. The profession itself is neglected while emphasis and significant budgetary allocations are given to other aspects of public health like HIV, malaria and cancer. If you look at the government’s meagre allocations to health, only a little of it eventually trickles to mental health and mental health issues. In the Federal Ministry of Health, until a few years back, we did not have even a mental health desk officer. How then do you think mental health issues can be pushed? ...

The President of the Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria, Taiwo Obindo, on Tuesday said that in 2024, positive reports are anticipated in the mental health subsector....

What are your thoughts on the current economic hardship being faced by Nigerians today?

It is a known fact that things have largely fallen apart concerning the economy. The indices are there. Inflation is hitting almost 29 per cent and the cost of living is skyrocketing. The standard of living is plummeting and people are losing their jobs. The costs of transportation and taxation have been high. For insecurity, there is banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery. When we look at all these indices, it is obvious that Nigerians are going through a harrowing experience that they were unprepared for. The economic hardship is a result of the removal of fuel subsidy and the deregulation of the naira. These challenges go beyond the regular stresses that people are meant to go through and would surely impact people’s mental health. It’s a stressful experience for virtually every Nigerian irrespective of their status. ...