Nigeria has been struggling with the Lunacy Law originally of 1908 and subsequently of 1958 which does not protect the fundamental human rights of citizens with mental health challenges. It also deprives them of the right to own and dispose of their property amongst others. Thus, several concerted stakeholders, led by the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), have worked assiduously over decades to ensure the drafting, and passing into law of a revised mental health law that is in tandem with global best practices and protects the rights of affected persons and their families. This has finally been achieved, with the signing into law of the Mental Health Act of 2021.
Having obtained the revised legislation, the next issue of concern is what comes next? How do we ensure that the legislation does not just gather dust on the shelf? What and who should be involved in the implementation process? These and many more, prompted the organisation of a virtual interdisciplinary colloquium on Mental Health and the Law in Nigeria, to deliberate on the implementation and next steps. The colloquium was led by Prof A.G. Ahmed and colleagues from Canada, in partnership with the Aro Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta, relevant professional associations such as the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), the Nigerian Association of Clinical Psychologists (NACP), civil society organisations such as the Asido Foundation and other concerned stakeholders.
About 120 participants, including politicians, representatives of the ministers of Health, senior health administrators, legal and mental health professionals from all the geopolitical regions of Nigeria, and Nigerian mental health and legal professionals from Canada, the United States of America, and Australia attended the colloquium. The colloquium delved into the recent changes in the legal framework governing mental health services in Nigeria. With a particular focus on the new National Mental Health Act, the colloquium brought together experts, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and patient advocates to explore the evolving legal landscape in Nigeria with special attention to the implementation of the National Mental Health Act, 2021.
Through engaging discussions, presentations, and small group discussions, participants examined the implications of these changes on the provision of mental health services. The sessions offered valuable insights into the current legal challenges and opportunities, provided a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration and the development of innovative strategies to ensure the implementation of the Act and enhance mental healthcare in Nigeria.
The following agreements were reached at the end of the colloquium:
Participants agreed that the recent enactment of the National Mental Health Act stands as a significant stride towards upholding human rights, fostering community-based services, and enhancing the quality of care for individuals facing mental health conditions. Recognising the potential transformative impact of this Act in reshaping mental health services, the participants collated collective recommendations to ensure its implementation and efficacy, setting forth actionable strategies to propel progress.
They called for the immediate establishment of the Department of Mental Health Services as the first and predicate step in the implementation of the Act at the Federal Ministry of Health as well as within State Ministries of Health.
Furthermore, participants called for a broad dissemination of the Mental Health Act in simplified formats across different languages.
They also agreed to the distribution of informational materials to religious groups, philanthropic organisations, government bodies, and educational institutions.
At the event, participants recognized the need to comprehensively engage the media to raise awareness about patient rights enshrined in the Act.
They recognised the need to include personal testimonies from individuals navigating mental health challenges to drive advocacy, understanding and reduce stigma.
Participants stressed the need to educate religious communities on mental illness, available treatments, and ways to counter stigma effectively with particular reference to mental facilities designated under the Act.
Participants agreed that it was essential to develop tailored mental health education plans for secondary and post-secondary education institutions.
They recommended that educational establishments, especially medical and law schools, police and military colleges, health administrators and continuing professional development bodies include in their curricula education on the Mental Health Act.
Participants recognised the need to foster collaborative efforts with traditional healers to enhance inclusive patient care.
They saw the need to make the establishment of the Mental Health Fund a priority as a public-private funding model.
Participants also recognised the need to prioritise task-shifting strategies to address shortages of mental health practitioners effectively.
Stakeholders at the event committed themselves to creating public awareness about these matters and to actively promote the implementation of the Act to drive positive change and enhance mental health services across Nigeria.
There was a clear recognition of the urgent need to transform mental health services that protects the dignity of the citizen, and guarantees equitable and qualitative mental health services for everyone with mental health challenges. All hands must be on deck to advance this cause. Will you lend your voice/hand to this campaign?