Mental Health Summit Urges Action as Over 90% of Young Nigerians Reportedly Go Untreated

Stakeholders at the fourth Vanguard Mental Health Summit have called for earlier intervention and improved access to mental healthcare for young Nigerians, highlighting treatment gaps, inadequate services and growing concerns over cyberbullying.

The summit, held at the Civic Centre in Lagos under the theme “Advancing Youth Mental Health in Nigeria through Access, Action and Advocacy,” brought attention to the need for stronger support systems in schools, communities and government institutions.

Discussions focused on the implementation of Nigeria’s Mental Health Act, enacted to improve access to care and protect the rights of people with mental health conditions. According to the report, implementation remains inadequate, with 33 states yet to domesticate the law and more than 90 per cent of young Nigerians requiring mental healthcare reportedly going without treatment.

Delivering the keynote address, the President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, Dr Veronica Nyamali, said only Lagos, Ekiti and Kaduna had domesticated the Act. She called on the remaining states to take steps towards implementing the legislation.

Nyamali also cited findings from studies involving secondary school students in Enugu. According to her, roughly three in 10 students had symptoms of depression, while more than a third experienced anxiety disorders. Nearly one in 12 reportedly said they had experienced suicidal thoughts.

The psychiatrist urged the Federal Government to establish the dedicated mental health department provided for under the law and ensure adequate funding for its implementation. She also called for stronger efforts to make mental healthcare more accessible to those who need it.

In his welcome address, Vanguard Newspaper Editor Eze Anaba urged stakeholders to move beyond awareness campaigns and establish practical support systems. He highlighted the importance of school counselling services and stronger referral mechanisms to help young people access appropriate care.

Anaba said the summit’s impact should be measured by the actions taken after the discussions, including whether participating organisations fulfilled their commitments to improve mental healthcare access. The event also highlighted the need for safer digital spaces and healthier online habits to protect young Nigerians from cyberbullying and other threats to their psychological wellbeing.