The Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has lamented that the level of hardship in the country has affected many Nigerians mentally.
Naijaonpoint reports that Peter Obi, in a post on his verified 𝕏 handle on Saturday to observe World Mental Health Day, said poverty, unemployment, and the daily battle to survive have pushed Nigerians, especially the youth, into hopelessness, criminality, and an increasing rate of suicide.
He pointed to a recent report by the World Health Organisation, WHO, which estimated that about 40 million Nigerians are living with mental health conditions, with grossly inadequate doctors to attend to mental health cases.
The former Governor of Anambra State lamented that the report clearly shows Nigeria’s growing disinterest and neglect of the health sector, stressing that mental health is more important than physical health.
Peter Obi added that the government should treat the issue of mental health as a public health emergency and address the issues of poverty, unemployment, and hunger that are contributing to mental problem.
He wrote, “Tackling Public Health Emergencies.
“As the world celebrates Mental Health Day this weekend, it is troubling to note that a nation like Nigeria has deepening mental health crises which recent report from World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that about 40 million people are living with mental health conditions, and grossly fewer doctors to attend to mental health, as fewer than 300 psychiatrists are available in the country.
“This clearly shows Nigeria’s growing disinterest and neglect of the health sector. Mental health is more important than physical health. Nigerians are now feeling so overwhelmed by hardship that they are mentally affected. Poverty, unemployment, and the daily battle to survive have pushed many of our people, especially the youth, into hopelessness, criminality and an increasing rate of suicide.
“The government must treat this as a public health emergency. Nigeria needs more mental health professionals and a massive investment in mental health infrastructure with well-equipped psychiatric hospitals in all geopolitical zones.
“We must also address the issues of poverty, unemployment and hunger that are contributing to this mental problem and build a nation that heals, uplifts, and gives every citizen a reason to live.
“Nigeria’s progress will never be measured by the wealth of its leaders but by human capital, which is the well-being of its people.”
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