On this year’s World Mental Health Day, Dr Shina Fakunle, a psychiatrist, has stated that Nigeria has fewer than 300 psychiatrists to address the mental, emotional and psychological effects of its ongoing crises, which include devastating floods, armed conflicts and disease outbreaks.
Dr Fakunle, a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Ring Road State Hospital, spoke at the 2025 World Mental Health Day event, themed ‘Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies’.
The event was organised by the Oyo State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Asido Foundation, PAMHI Foundation, and New World Specialist Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre, Ibadan.
According to him, mental health is a critical component of emergency preparedness, response, and recovery that is often overlooked during catastrophes, although its neglect can lead to long-term mental health conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance misuse, and even suicide.
Dr Fakunle stated that despite the urgency, access to mental health services remains dangerously inadequate because mental health services are severely under-resourced in Nigeria and, indeed, in many parts of Africa.
He added, ‘In Oyo State, we face challenges such as stigma, a shortage of trained professionals, poor funding, and limited integration of mental health services into primary care and emergency response systems.’
‘Fewer than 300 psychiatrists serve a population of over 200 million. Yet, despite the urgency, access to mental health services remains dangerously inadequate.
‘In recent years, our world has witnessed a rising tide of catastrophes-from natural disasters and pandemics to conflict, displacement, and economic crises.
‘While much attention is rightly given to physical infrastructure and emergency response, we too often overlook the invisible wounds these events leave behind: the emotional, psychological, and mental toll.
‘Mental health is not a luxury reserved for peaceful times; it is a critical component of emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.
‘During catastrophes, people face grief, trauma, displacement, loss of livelihood, and uncertainty. If left unaddressed, these challenges can lead to long-term mental health conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance misuse, and even suicide.’
Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Oyo Health Ministry, Dr Akintunde Ayinde, stated that mental health during catastrophes and emergencies are often overlooked, even though psychological wounds may persist far longer than physical ones.
According to her, mental health must be integrated into our emergency preparedness, resilience, and recovery strategies, and Oyo State is soon to inaugurate the State Mental Health Working Group to spearhead the development of mental health emergency protocols, psychological first aid training, rapid response teams, and integration with the state’s disaster and epidemic response systems.
Earlier, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Asido Foundation, Professor Jibril Abdulmalik, stated that eight out of every 10 Nigerians with a mental disorder are unable to receive treatment in Nigeria and asked that the government prioritize mental health.
Prof Abdulmalik stated, ‘We cannot have a hospital and claim to offer healthcare while neglecting one-third of the definition of health, which is mental health. The government needs to prioritize it, allocate funding, and employ qualified personnel to manage it effectively.
‘Universal health coverage for mental health begins with recognizing the problem, creating accessible spaces for care, guiding individuals on where to seek help, and eliminating stigma.’
Director of Operations at the New World Specialist Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre, Mr Olufunmbi Lasebikan, emphasised the importance of individuals with mental health challenges seeking medical attention early and promptly.
According to him, one in every five people worldwide has a mental health condition, and so access to mental health care should not be overlooked, especially given the psychological toll of ongoing emergencies and catastrophes in Nigeria.