By Atlantic Reports

Mental health professionals have expressed concern over the shortage of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses and psychologists in Nigeria, warning that inadequate staffing and limited investment in mental healthcare could leave more people without timely diagnosis, treatment and support.

The specialists raised the concerns on Friday during a mental health awareness walk organised by the Behavioural Medicine Unit (BMU) of Karu General Hospital, Abuja, as part of activities marking the 2026 World Mental Health Day.

The event, held under the theme “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”, brought attention to the challenges facing Nigeria's mental healthcare system, including the migration of medical professionals, inadequate funding, social stigma and limited access to specialised services.

The experts called for stronger government commitment to mental health infrastructure, workforce development and community-based treatment programmes.

Shortage of Specialists Threatens Access to Mental Healthcare

The Consultant Psychiatrist and Head of the Behavioural Medicine Unit at Karu General Hospital, Dr Chibuzo Anoji, identified inadequate manpower as one of the major obstacles to effective mental healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Anoji explained that the migration of trained healthcare professionals abroad had further complicated efforts to provide adequate psychiatric services.

According to her, the shortage of specialists makes it increasingly important to strengthen mental healthcare at the community level, where people can receive early assistance without necessarily travelling long distances to specialist hospitals.

She advocated training primary healthcare workers to recognise common mental health conditions, provide appropriate initial support and refer patients requiring specialised treatment.

Such an approach could improve access for residents of rural and underserved communities, where specialist mental health facilities and qualified personnel are often difficult to reach.

However, expanding community-based care would require sustained investment in training, supervision, medication availability and effective referral systems.

Experts Call for Full Implementation of Mental Health Law

Anoji also emphasised the importance of implementing Nigeria's mental health legislation to improve access to treatment and strengthen protections for people living with mental health conditions.

Nigeria's National Mental Health Act, signed into law in January 2023, provides a framework for improving mental healthcare services and protecting the rights and dignity of people experiencing mental illness.

The legislation seeks to support more accessible and integrated mental healthcare while addressing discrimination and harmful treatment practices.

Anoji maintained that effective implementation would help extend services beyond specialist hospitals and make professional assistance more accessible within communities.

For patients and their families, this could reduce some of the financial and logistical difficulties associated with seeking treatment far from home.

Nevertheless, legislation alone cannot resolve the country's mental health challenges without adequate funding, trained personnel, functioning facilities and consistent implementation.

Stigma and Misconceptions Delay Treatment

Beyond the shortage of medical professionals, Anoji identified stigma and misconceptions surrounding mental illness as significant barriers to accessing care.

She expressed concern that some people experiencing mental health difficulties initially seek spiritual interventions rather than professional medical assessment.

According to her, delays in obtaining appropriate treatment can allow symptoms to worsen and complicate recovery.

The psychiatrist stressed that mental health conditions should be recognised as health concerns requiring evidence-based assessment and treatment.

Her remarks highlighted the need for public education that addresses misconceptions without dismissing the cultural and religious beliefs of patients and their families.

Faith communities and spiritual support networks can play constructive roles in providing emotional and social assistance, but they should not replace necessary medical evaluation and treatment.

Mental health conditions arise from complex biological, psychological and social factors, and appropriate care may involve psychological therapies, medication, social support or a combination of interventions.

Government Urged to Invest in Psychiatric Services

Also speaking, the Chief Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Hadiza Mustapha, emphasised the importance of specialised personnel in delivering effective mental healthcare.

Represented by Dr Aniefiok Udoh, the Administrative Secretary, Mustapha explained that psychiatric services depend on multidisciplinary teams comprising psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, psychologists and other trained professionals.

She called for increased government funding, improved hospital infrastructure and sustained public awareness campaigns.

The appeal reflects the broader need to strengthen mental healthcare as an essential component of public health rather than treating it as a secondary service.

Adequate staffing is particularly important for managing complex conditions, providing emergency psychiatric care and ensuring continuity of treatment.

Without sufficient personnel and resources, patients may experience long waiting periods, interrupted treatment or difficulty obtaining specialist referrals.

Substance Use Among Young People Raises Concern

Another psychiatrist at Karu General Hospital, Dr Emmanuela Ego, drew attention to substance use among young Nigerians.

She identified peer pressure, family difficulties, environmental influences and economic stress as factors that could contribute to harmful substance use.

Ego's concerns highlighted the relationship between mental health, social conditions and the pressures facing young people.

Substance use can increase the risk of mental and physical health problems, while some individuals may also use alcohol or other substances in attempts to cope with existing psychological distress.

The relationship is complex, and not every person experiencing economic hardship or family difficulties develops a substance use disorder.

Addressing the problem requires prevention programmes, accessible counselling, early intervention and appropriate treatment services.

Schools, families and community organisations can also contribute by creating supportive environments where young people feel able to discuss emotional difficulties and seek assistance without fear of humiliation or punishment.

Families and Communities Have Important Roles

The experts urged families, educational institutions and community leaders to become more attentive to signs of mental health difficulties.

They encouraged early professional assessment when individuals experience persistent emotional distress, significant behavioural changes or symptoms that interfere with everyday functioning.

They also stressed the importance of reducing discrimination against people living with mental health conditions.

Fear of rejection, social isolation and negative labelling can discourage individuals from discussing their experiences or seeking treatment.

Creating supportive environments can therefore help people access care earlier and maintain relationships during treatment and recovery.

The specialists called for sustained collaboration between government institutions, healthcare providers and communities to improve mental health awareness and service delivery.

Beyond Awareness: Nigeria's Mental Healthcare Challenge

World Mental Health Day, observed annually on October 10, provides an opportunity to examine the availability, affordability and quality of mental healthcare services.

The concerns raised by specialists at Karu General Hospital point to a challenge extending beyond public awareness.

While sensitisation campaigns can encourage people to seek assistance, their effectiveness depends on whether accessible and affordable treatment is available when people need it.

Nigeria's mental healthcare priorities therefore include retaining qualified professionals, strengthening primary healthcare services, expanding specialist facilities and ensuring that patients receive continuous care.

The experts did not provide updated national figures on the shortage of mental health professionals or the number of patients currently unable to access treatment.

Such data would help policymakers assess workforce requirements, identify underserved areas and measure progress in expanding services.

For Nigerians experiencing mental health difficulties, the most meaningful outcome of awareness campaigns would be a healthcare system that provides timely assistance, protects dignity and makes professional treatment accessible regardless of income or location.

As the country marks World Mental Health Day, the message from Karu General Hospital is that improving mental healthcare requires more than public discussion. It demands sustained investment, effective policies and practical support for the people who need care.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.