Lagos, Nigeria — The crushing weight of economic hardship is pushing a growing number of Nigerians into mental health issues, according to Jecinta Powell, founder of SENA Psychotherapy and Counseling.
Her warnings, published today in an interview with Ngozi Okpalakunne for BusinessDay, paint a grim picture of how surging poverty, widespread unemployment, underemployment, and pervasive financial insecurity are directly contributing to a rise in anxiety, depression, trauma, substance misuse, and chronic stress across the nation.
Understanding mental health issues and economic strain
Powell’s insights underscore a systemic problem that extends far beyond individual struggle. She highlights how the very fabric of Nigeria’s socio-economic environment, coupled with cultural factors, creates fertile ground for psychological distress. This linkage between financial precarity and mental well-being demands a re-evaluation of national development priorities.
Life in Nigeria for many has become a constant struggle for basic survival, a reality that Lagos-based clinical psychologist Dr. Bokolo David echoes. He notes that the persistent worry about food, rent, or school fees keeps millions in a state of prolonged stress.
Over time, this relentless pressure inevitably develops into anxiety, depression, and other severe psychological conditions. It’s a daily grind that chips away at mental resilience, leaving little room for emotional well-being.
Powell detailed a range of common mental health issues confronting the country, including anxiety, depression, trauma, substance misuse, relationship difficulties, and chronic stress. She insists these conditions can’t be viewed in isolation from the broader environment people inhabit.
Roughly one in five Nigerians experiences a mental health condition, with anxiety and depression being the most common, impacting over 60 million individuals. Some studies even suggest this figure is closer to one in four, meaning nearly 50 million people suffer from conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or psychosis.
A system under pressure: Gaps in care and stigma
Despite the overwhelming need, Nigeria’s mental healthcare system remains severely underdeveloped and underfunded. Only about 10% of Nigerians with mental health conditions access care, according to various studies.
This massive treatment gap is exacerbated by severe understaffing; the nation has less than 300 psychiatrists serving over 200 million people. Furthermore, mental health receives under 2% of the total health budget, highlighting a critical funding shortfall.
Mental health literacy is alarmingly low, meaning many Nigerians don’t know how to identify psychological distress or when to seek professional help. Powell explains that traditional beliefs, spirituality, and family expectations frequently lead to emotional distress being “spiritualized, stigmatized, or simply dismissed,” rather than treated as a medical issue.
This deep-seated stigma transforms seeking help into an admission of weakness or “madness,” forcing individuals to suffer in silence. Professor Taiwo Obindo, President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, has often highlighted how social determinants, particularly poverty, significantly impact mental health.
From Lunacy Act to a new legal framework
Historically, Nigeria’s mental health legal system was governed by the archaic Lunacy Act of 1958. This outdated framework, a direct revision of the 1916 Lunacy Ordinance, allowed for the detention of individuals with mental illnesses. It reflected a punitive rather than therapeutic approach to mental health, contributing to deep-seated stigma.
A significant shift occurred on January 5, 2023, when President Muhammadu Buhari signed the National Mental Health Bill 2021 into law. This landmark legislation repealed the 1958 Act, establishing a framework to protect the rights of individuals with mental health conditions and to improve services.
But the journey toward comprehensive care is far from over. The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act 2022 aims to make health insurance mandatory for all citizens, including those with physical and mental health needs. Yet the Mental Health Act 2021 did not explicitly integrate mental health services into this national insurance system.
This crucial oversight means many Nigerians still lack guaranteed access to mental health support through national insurance.
The economic roots of deepening despair
The stark reality of Nigeria’s economic landscape provides a clear explanation for the escalating mental health crisis. A 2025 World Bank report starkly revealed that over 106 million Nigerians lived below the extreme poverty line, a figure that continues its alarming ascent.
Afrobarometer’s 2024 findings added to this bleak picture, showing 79% of Nigerians experiencing high levels of “lived poverty,” indicating widespread daily struggles. By 2023, nearly 104 million Nigerians, almost half the population, found themselves living in poverty, an increase of 24 million people since 2018. How Nigeria divides its wealth has long been a contentious issue, directly impacting these poverty statistics.
Urban poverty grew from 13 million to 20 million residents, while rural poverty surged dramatically from 67 million to 84 million people. With 75% of rural Nigerians living in poverty by 2025, the pressure on individuals and families is immense. UNICEF’s 2023 report further highlighted that 18% of Nigerians grapple with severe poverty, and 33% face multidimensional poverty, enduring multiple deprivations.
Inflation’s tightening grip on households
Recent economic reforms have further exacerbated financial insecurity. Inflation rates soared to nearly 34%, with food prices escalating by over 40% due to the removal of fuel subsidies and exchange rate liberalization. These measures have significantly eroded purchasing power, leaving many households unable to meet their basic needs.
The “misery index,” which combines inflation and unemployment rates, surged to 36.9% in the first quarter of 2024, up from 30.5% in the preceding quarter. This grim statistic reflects the dual burden of rising costs and job scarcity that afflicts millions.
Unemployment, particularly among young people, plays a critical role in mental health decline. Over 40% of graduates face prolonged uncertainty after completing their tertiary education and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, leading to what’s known as “NYSC drift.” This period of limbo breeds anxiety and a sense of hopelessness, fueling mental health challenges.
The Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Yaba, Lagos State, for instance, documented a 100% increase in admission cases during 2023. Officials directly attribute this sharp rise to the mounting economic and socioeconomic pressures facing the populace.
Building a more resilient mental health system
Jecinta Powell argues that meaningful change requires the government to move beyond mere policies. She calls for measurable, well-funded, and efficiently implemented programs that can create lasting change.
A key priority, she suggests, involves integrating mental health services into primary healthcare. This would decentralize care, making basic psychological support and referrals accessible at local health centers, rather than requiring patients to travel to distant specialist psychiatric hospitals. Ghana and South Africa, for instance, have successfully adopted community-based mental healthcare models that Nigeria could emulate.
Stronger mental health financing, better insurance coverage, and improved training and distribution of mental health professionals are also crucial steps. This must also include implementing school mental health programs and broader workplace initiatives. These are essential for addressing the root causes and providing accessible support across society.
Beyond policy: Community and individual resilience
For ordinary Nigerians, navigating the current economic climate demands intentionality and self-awareness, Powell advises. Recognizing when stress becomes overwhelming and practicing simple techniques like controlled breathing, meditation, or journaling can help.
She emphasizes that these practices don’t always require money. The growth of mental health communities, WhatsApp support groups, free webinars, and psychoeducational programs offers accessible avenues for connection and encouragement, demonstrating the power of community in fostering resilience. This shift in mindset, from viewing psychological help as a weakness to seeing it as a responsible step, is essential.
The road ahead for Nigeria’s mental healthcare
The intersection of economic hardship and mental health in Nigeria presents a complex challenge, but one that is not insurmountable. Addressing it demands a multifaceted approach that acknowledges the intricate links between financial stability and psychological well-being. It means recognizing mental healthcare not as a luxury, but as a fundamental component of public health and human development.
The commitment to genuine reform, from policy implementation to grassroots intervention, will ultimately determine how well Nigeria supports its citizens through these trying times. A healthier, more productive, and resilient population hinges on this systemic change. The decisions made today will shape the country’s social landscape for generations, just as historical choices did in the past.
