2025 WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY: Nigeria Advocates For Inclusion Of Mental Health Services In Emergency Care

"According to the World Health Organization, over one billion people globally are currently living with mental health conditions." Prof. Pate.

"As WHO supports the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with partners, to put in place policies and frameworks for prevention and management of mental health disorders." 

Nigeria's Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate has restated the urgent need to improve access to mental health services in the country especially emergency settings.

Prof. Pate made this known on Friday October 10, 2025 as Nigeria joins the global community to commemorate this year’s World Mental Health Day, at a press conference to commemorate the 2025 World Mental Health Day in Abuja.

Mrs. Tetshoma Dafetta
Director, Human Resource Department

The Honourable Minister, who was represented by the Director, Human Resource Department at the ministry,
Mrs. Tetshoma Dafetta, noted that, every year on the 10th of October, nations unite to raise awareness, foster dialogue and advocate for action on one of the most pressing yet often neglected aspects of health, mental health.

“Too often, attention has been focused on physical health, while mental health is given little recognition. Yet, there is no health without mental health.

“According to the World Health Organization, over one billion people globally are currently living with mental health conditions.

“The situation is even more dire in humanitarian emergencies, where one in five people, about 22%, are affected by conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder or severe mental illness.

“The stark reality underscores the urgent need for governments, partners and communities to strengthen investment, close treatment gaps and ensure that mental health services are accessible, equitable and sustainable, especially for vulnerable populations”, he said.

Pate noted that mental health services, whether during natural disasters, armed conflicts, pandemics or economic crises, were critical, yet overlooked. These situations, he explained were not only physically devastating, but they also leave profound emotional and psychological impacts on individuals and communities.



According to him, studies show that people in conflict-affected areas in Nigeria, including internally displaced persons, face significant psychological distress, ranging from depression, anxiety, substance abuse, suicide and trauma-related conditions.

He informed that Mental health challenges cut across all demographics, leaving no one untouched. Yet, despite the growing burden, stigma and discrimination continue to silence those affected. Many are forced to hide their pain and are shamed for simply seeking help.

“This must change, and it must change now. Integrating Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) into emergency response brings multiple benefits, among which are emotional resilience and coping. MHPSS enables individuals to process fear, grief and displacement”, he said.

The Minister further stated that Mental health was not a luxury but a fundamental human right. “Just as people deserve physical health, care, housing, education and safety, they also deserve access to mental health services for dignity and well-being.

“This becomes even more critical during crisis. It is not only in humanitarian emergencies that people experience catastrophes. When people have medical emergencies, including mental health care, there are catastrophic expenditures.

“Also, most of the people that access mental health care in Nigeria are still paying out of pocket. To demonstrate our commitment to addressing this significant gap, at the last National Dialogue, financing for mental health was on the front burner. And as an aftermath of that event, we are now working to ensure financial protection for people with mental health conditions”, he said.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom represented by the Director Hospital Services Department, Dr. Salaudeen Jimoh said emergencies, whether natural disasters, pandemics, economic crises or conflicts, do not only cause physical harm, but leave deep emotional and psychological wounds.

As such, mental health must be recognized as an essential component of any humanitarian and health emergency response.



“According to WHO, that is World Health Organization, more than one billion people globally are living with better health conditions and in humanitarian emergencies.

“One in five persons is affected. In Nigeria, conflict and insecurity in parts of the country, particularly in the Northeast, have exposed many to trauma, displacement and loss, leading to a high rate of depression, anxiety, substance use and suicide”, she said.

The Permanent Secretary disclosed that this year’s commemoration aligned with the global momentum from the 2025 United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicative Diseases and Mental Health, where world leaders reaffirmed their commitment to integrate mental health within universal health coverage and emergency preparedness.



“The new United Nations Political Declaration on Non-Communicative Diseases and Mental Health calls for stronger investment, equity and inclusion of mental health in all humanitarian and health systems, a call that Nigeria fully supports and is already acting on board. As a ministry, we are proud of the progress Nigeria has made in advancing mental health reforms and service delivery. The coordinating minister will highlight some of these key achievements in his speech.

“Today’s event is not only a moment for reflection, but also a call to action to government institutions, civil societies, professional associations, private sectors and the media to continue building a nation where mental health is prioritized, stigma is eliminated and everyone can access care when needed, even in the most difficult times”, Kachollom stated.

Meanwhile, WHO Nigeria Country Representative, Dr. Pavel Ursu, represented by the Technical Officer, Non-communicable Diseases, Dr. Mary Dewan informed that WHO supported the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with partners to put in place policies and frameworks for prevention and management of mental health disorders.

Furthermore, in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria which had experienced humanitarian crisis, WHO worked closely with the government of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, alongside other key stakeholders to build capacity of healthcare workers,integrate mental health services into primary health and secondary health facilities, supported outreach sessions, procurement of essential psychotropic medicines.

WHO also facilitated the renovation of the State Psychiatric Hospital in Maiduguri and supported the development of the Borno State Mental HealthStrategic Framework. “These efforts exemplify how targeted investment in mental health can continue to build resilience and restore hope”, she said.