Our team recently attended the National Dialogue on the Decriminalization of Suicide in Nigeria. This pivotal 2-day event, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, focused on actionable strategies to implement the National Suicide Prevention Framework and improve mental health interventions across Nigeria.
Day 1: Our Executive Director, Aisha Bubah, had the honor of participating in two panel discussions, sharing insights and driving crucial conversations about mental health and suicide prevention.
Panel Discussion: The Role of Culture and Religion in Suicide Prevention
Aisha joined religious leaders and mental health clinicians to discuss the role of cultural and religious practices in suicide prevention and the ongoing campaign to decriminalize suicide attempts. Aisha highlighted how religious leaders could play a crucial role in providing compassionate support and intervention to community members showing signs of suicide, rather than ostracizing them. This shift toward empathy could significantly reduce stigma and encourage individuals to seek help early.
Moderating a Panel: Professional Perspectives on Decriminalizing Suicide
Aisha also moderated a panel with prominent members of Nigerian professional mental health associations. The panel included:
- Taiwo Obindo, National President, Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria
- Prof. Gboyega E. Abikoye, National President, Nigerian Association of Clinical Psychologists
- Jurbe Simon Bisji, Nigerian Psychological Association
- Chidera Precious, YouthRISE Nigeria
The conversation explored the real-life impact of decriminalizing suicide attempts, focusing on stories from clinicians and community leaders. It was an emotional and insightful discussion on how systemic change could reduce suicide attempts and improve mental health support across the nation.
Day 2: Recommendations for Progress
Day 2 delved even deeper into the critical need for change, with discussions focused on actionable next steps toward decriminalizing suicide in Nigeria. As part of these discussions, our team made several key contributions:
- Mental Health in Schools: We advocated for the inclusion of school psychologists in educational institutions, stressing that mental health education should be part of the curriculum—just like physical health education. Current systems relying solely on guidance counselors are not enough to address the growing mental health needs of students.
- Harmonizing Mental Health Helplines: Based on our experience with The Sunshine Series’ 24/7 suicide prevention helpline, we highlighted the need to harmonize mental health helplines across Nigeria. Strengthening suicide response and referral pathways is critical to ensuring that those in severe distress receive timely and effective help.
- Incorporating Mental Healthcare into Primary Health Centers: We emphasized the importance of making mental health services accessible at primary healthcare centers across the country. This will provide a direct and affordable avenue for people to seek help in their communities, reducing the stigma and barriers to mental health support.
The event concluded with a shared commitment from all stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, to implement the National Suicide Prevention Framework. We are hopeful that the recommendations discussed during the dialogue will be integrated into national policy and practice, leading to better mental health support and the decriminalization of suicide in Nigeria.
We extend our gratitude to the National Mental Health Program for hosting this transformative dialogue, and we look forward to the next steps toward a more compassionate and effective approach to mental health care in Nigeria.
By prioritizing mental health, we can move towards a future where every individual receives the support they deserve, free from stigma or criminalization.
