Over 60m Nigerians Suffering From Mental Illnesses-Obindo

The  President, Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), Prof. Taiwo Obindo has disclosed that more than 60 million Nigerians are suffering from mental illnesses of various types.

Obindo, who doubles as the Chairman, Faculty of Psychiatry, West African College of Physicians, Nigeria Chapter, disclosed this in an interview in Abuja on Sunday.

“Mental healthcare is in a sorry state given that we have more than 60 million Nigerians suffering from various mental illnesses and the fact that only about 10 per cent of them were able to access appropriate care.

“We are left with more than 90 per cent who are unable to access care and this group is called the treatment gap for mental illnesses,’’ Obindo said.

He further submitted that the gap was as a result of various factors like the knowledge gap in which people do not have appropriate information about the causes and treatment for mental illnesses.

Obindo said some factors hindering the management of mental illness in Nigeria included myths and traditional beliefs; inadequate mental health facilities and number of mental health professionals.