One in every four Nigerian is living with one form of mental disorder or another while one in seven persons would suffer a serious episode of mental illness in their lifetime.
The rather shocking prognosis was made by the Medical Director of Synapse Services Resource Centre, Dr. Vincent Udenze at the inauguration of the centre at Lekki, Lagos.
According to the medical expert, the prognosis “is a conservative estimate, considering that many Nigerians with mental challenges do not seek help because they do not want people to stigmatise them and their families.”
He continued; “Look around, we have got over 50 government hospitals looking after pregnant women. We have thousands of private hospitals and maternal homes for women and children. How many mental health facilities are in Lagos with a population of over 18 million people? They are very few.
“If you provide the environment, facility and make people aware that it exists, you will be surprised at the response you are going to get. The truth is that the government will never be able to do enough in tackling the menace of mental health because it does not have enough resources for that.
“While the government is doing what it can, the private sector, non- governmental organisations, and individuals must come together to address stigma and provide facilities for those who need treatment before they fall into the wrong hands.”