NewStats: 3,263,469 , 8,180,227 topics. Date: Friday, 06 June 2025 at 05:21 AM 5r3668

As Nigeria grapples with worsening economic conditions, citizens are increasingly raising alarms about the impact on their mental well-being, with anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts on the rise across the nation.

Amid skyrocketing costs of food, transportation, and healthcare, the economic crisis has severely reduced purchasing power, leaving millions struggling to meet daily necessities and fueling a mental health crisis.

At the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Yaba, Lagos, Medical Director Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye reports a significant uptick in mental health cases.

“Previously, the hospital received five to ten patients daily; this has increased to approximately 25 to 30 patients, marking an increase of over 200 per cent,” he told Business Day.

He added that the facility now sees around 750 new cases monthly, indicating the widespread strain on mental health resources.

The crisis extends beyond the walls of hospitals into homes and communities, where many individuals, like Chike, a father of three, face unrelenting pressure to meet basic needs.

His words: “Every day is a struggle to survive. We cannot keep food on the table, nor meet transportation costs; medical costs have become an overwhelming source of stress.”

Similarly, Grace, a tailor, finds herself skipping meals to ensure her children are fed.

“Every day feels like a battle,” she said, expressing the exhaustion from constant anxiety about providing for her family.

Rising prices, a devalued currency, and inflation at record levels are forcing Nigerians into a cycle of despair that affects not only individual mental health but also family dynamics and social relationships.

Psychologist Richard Adebayo explains, “When people are worried about how to feed their families or afford basic necessities, mental health becomes an afterthought.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 40 million Nigerians, or 20 per cent of the population, are affected by mental illnesses, with conditions ranging from anxiety and depression to more severe disorders.

Psychologist Aisha Bubah, Executive Director of the Sunshine Series, notes that untreated mental illnesses, including depression and schizophrenia, are exacerbated by the economic downturn.

“When there is economic hardship, many people struggle to make ends meet, creating a sense of hopelessness and, in some cases, thoughts of suicide.

“Things can get overwhelming, but it’s important to speak to someone you trust, who won’t judge you. Bottling up your feelings only worsens your mental health,” she stated.

Source : https://politicsnigeria.com/hardship-patients-troop-to-neuropsychiatric-hospitals-as-nigerians-battle-depression/

Should we say some people have stopped taking responsibility for their personal needs without allowing the situation to deteriorate

Because this one that any small thing, government must be responsible. Are the so called politicians Aliens from Pluto? Are they not the same products of the Nigeria community which refused to produce good products.

The yahoo boys, the Oloshos, the criminals, abeg where are their parents? Are those also government?

helinues:
Should we say some people have stopped taking responsibility for their personal needs without allowing the situation to deteriorate

Because this one that any small thing, government must be responsible. Are the so called politicians Aliens from Pluto? Are they not the same products of the Nigeria community which refused to produce good products.

The yahoo boys, the Oloshos, the criminals, abeg where are their parents? Are those also government?

Helunius, Just LEAVE your Parent's house plz.

Be a man and rent a Place, instead of eating Free food from ur parents and Idling away on this site.

At 35yrs, You are getting old, you don't know

helinues:
Should we say some people have stopped taking responsibility for their personal needs without allowing the situation to deteriorate

Because this one that any small thing, government must be responsible. Are the so called politicians Aliens from Pluto? Are they not the same products of the Nigeria community which refused to produce good products.

The yahoo boys, the Oloshos, the criminals, abeg where are their parents? Are those also government?

Will you be useful this week?

Abeg I use God beg una, pls drop something for me. Hunger and Depression are real. Pls

Haven't eaten for days here in sch

VinnyBaba:


Helunius, Just LEAVE your Parent's house plz.

Be a man and rent a Place, instead of eating Free food from ur parents and Idling away on this site.

At 35yrs, You are getting old, you don't know

Stop using your precarious situation to judge others

Some of you don't even have a break with the politics of bitterness

It shall never be well with those who worked, ed and encouraged this calamitous Tinubu regime

helinues:
Should we say some people have stopped taking responsibility for their personal needs without allowing the situation to deteriorate

Because this one that any small thing, government must be responsible. Are the so called politicians Aliens from Pluto? Are they not the same products of the Nigeria community which refused to produce good products.

The yahoo boys, the Oloshos, the criminals, abeg where are their parents? Are those also government?

After blaming the Govornors and it didn't work,na the parents of politicians and the parents of olosho and yahoo boys and others remain make we blame now?

Ani ashiere niyin..

happney65:


After blaming the Govornors and it didn't work,na the parents of politicians and the parents of olosho and yahoo boys and others remain make we blame now?

Ani ashiere niyin..

Awon egbon ee

happney65:


After blaming the Govornors and it didn't work,na the parents of politicians and the parents of olosho and yahoo boys and others remain make we blame now?

Ani ashiere niyin..

Most foolish person on nairaland by far

Bobloco:
It shall never be well with those who worked, ed and encouraged this calamitous Tinubu regime

Has it been well with you? Abi what's the frustration for?

helinues:


Has it been well with you? Abi what's the frustration for?

Obviously, his curses are working na 😂... look at your life!

SpiritMoney:


Obviously, his curses are working na 😂... look at your life!

Those who are not well with have been the one putting unnecessary aggressions on those who knew nothing about their lives woes

helinues:


Those who are not well with have been the one putting unnecessary aggressions in those who knew nothing about their lives woes

Your grammar gives me a splitting headache every damn time. 😓😪

SpiritMoney:


Your grammar gives me a splitting headache every damn time. 😓😪

Hit the head on something then. The spirits should be appeased

helinues:


Has it been well with you? Abi what's the frustration for?

helinues:


Has it been well with you? Abi what's the frustration for?

I didn't mention you in my comment but you deliberately chose to insult me

Seun Mynd44 Nlfpmod

helinus have violated Nairaland Rule 2

Bobloco:


I didn't mention you in my comment but you deliberately chose to insult me

Seun Mynd44 Nlfpmod

helinus have violated Nairaland Rule 2

The mods will pretend not to see it but if it were to be the other way around they'll jump fast and ban the person.

IniobongEno:
The mods will pretend not to see it but if it were to be the other way around they'll jump fast and ban the person.

Mention them with this moniker, I want to check something

helinues:


Mention them with this moniker, I want to check something

Just because you bribed them against me doesn't mean anything.

State governments need to set up toll-free mental wellbeing call centres, staffed with qualified personnel, so people can call anonymously and pour out their heart rather than repressing issues as it would mean something to them.

Emilokan! Tinubu is going to teach igbos politics

Nigerian religious folks are only brave when in battle with the devil (the guy with an imaginary triangular tail end, rod with three spikes, usually adorned in black and red, dark in complexion with a scary look), whereas, the devil has long evolved, he now dwells in the body of men. Our political leaders are the actual devils we're supposed to resist! Not the imaginary one! T-Pain, you do this one...

Even some psychiatric doctors are depressed..

LOBATAN.

T-PAIN SERIES

Tinubu’s Economic Policies Fuel a Mental Health Crisis

Under Tinubu’s istration, basic needs like food, healthcare, and housing have become unaffordable for millions. With inflation at 32.7% and food inflation even higher, the daily stress of survival has turned into a mental health crisis. The President’s promised 150-day duty-free window on essential food imports, intended to provide some relief, remains bogged down by bureaucracy, with minimal impact on prices due to delays and naira depreciation. Nigerians, faced with skyrocketing costs and no meaningful safety net, struggle with anxiety and despair.

In other countries, social programs cushion citizens from economic hardship, but in Nigeria, the most vulnerable are left to fend for themselves. Policies fail to address the rising cost of basics or offer for mental health services. This disregard compounds the mental strain for citizens already grappling with financial insecurity, as families slip into poverty with no relief in sight.

To make real change, Tinubu’s government must prioritize affordable food and healthcare access, stabilize the naira, and establish a genuine social safety net. Economic policies aren’t just numbers; they are about people. By taking meaningful steps to address these issues, the government can begin to ease the mental and economic toll on its citizens.

This country is just anyhow country

corn3 filled wit conquered citizens!

how can u be buying a cup of garri for #250?

Garri oo!

no be madness of d highest order?

Not a surprise.

Even on nairaland,can't u see how some APC die hards behave like mad people.

After u see them this govt,u will know all is not well with them.

Children of the devil from that devil axis with developmental index tied to owambering is as daft as unimaginably snail, are lucky the zoo is amalgamated with lots of other intelligent zone.

Shame on them for embracing hypocrisy genealogically and refusing anything called development.

Yet queen of Sheba died in the same zone. What a believe?. What a draft thing destroying this nation