Annually, Nigeria reports over 16,000 suicide attempts; Senator advocates for bill to legally recognize attempted suicide as non-punishable
In a significant step towards addressing mental health issues in Nigeria, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC-Cross River South) has pledged to champion the Suicide Prevention Bill during its second reading. The bill, if passed, aims to decriminalize attempted suicide and establish a national framework for prevention, mental health support, and crisis response services.
According to the World Health Organization, suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds globally, and in Nigeria, the issue is of growing concern. The country records approximately 16,000 suicide deaths annually, and for every recorded suicide, there are at least 20 more attempts, as stated by Aisha Bubah.
The Suicide Prevention Bill, as proposed, includes measures such as helplines, service delivery frameworks, funding, training, and data systems. These provisions are intended to strengthen prevention and response mechanisms nationwide.
The coalition backing the bill is a diverse group, including psychiatrists, psychologists, lawyers, and mental health advocates. One of the key members is Prof. Taiwo Sheikh, who serves as the Convener and Continental Representative of LifeLine International. This organization is part of the Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group in Nigeria.
Senator Ekpenyong acknowledges the underreported nature of mental health issues in Nigeria and emphasizes the urgent need for legislative backing to implement suicide prevention policies. He also highlights depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions as issues that require government attention, sustained education, and sensitization.
The bill has already passed its first reading in February, and Senator Ekpenyong made the pledge to advance it during a meeting with members of the Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group in Abuja. The coalition emphasizes the high youth suicide rate and the growing economic and social costs of untreated mental health challenges in Nigeria as reasons for the urgency in passing the bill.
Senator Ekpenyong is committed to working with his colleagues for a robust debate on the bill, with the hope that it will provide a much-needed safety net for those struggling with mental health issues in Nigeria. The decriminalization of attempted suicide and the establishment of a comprehensive suicide prevention framework could be a turning point in the fight against mental health stigma and suicide in the country.
