Advocates Push for Assent on National Mental Health Bill
Advocates on improving the outcomes of mental health in Nigeria, say time is running out and are urging President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the bill into law before the ninety day deadline ends.
The national mental health bill has been passed by the national assembly and the next stop is for consideration and an assent from President Muhammad Buhari.
It is now crunch time as advocates are pushing to get the word out as they wait for the president to sign or withhold his assent before February the 26th 2023.
With an election upon the nation, it is becoming increasingly urgent to get this done and advocates are hoping this will happen soon.
The national mental health bill seeks to basically provide more support and care for persons dealing with mental health issues.
Part of this will be a patient centered care for a patient, encouraging their involvement in the decision making.
The bill seeks to guarantee that those receiving treatments have the right to participate in the formulation their medical plans and cannot have forced treatment, restraints or any form of seclusion in medical health facilities.
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Angela runs a non profit organization which started group therapy sessions called ‘unburden’ a while ago, to open the door for open discussions on mental health by individuals for individuals.
With the help of a certified psychologist, participants take turns in sharing their feelings about issues that affect them and so far it seems to have helped greatly with mental health issues.
For Angela, chime and thousands of other advocates, this bill when signed into law will be a start to a great beginning for mental health care for all Nigerians.
About forty civil society organizations are partaking in efforts to pile pressure on the President to assent to the bill, and in the coming weeks a lot more advocates will be at the forefront of discussions.
According to the World Health Organisation, more than three quarters of people with severe mental disorders in low and middle income countries do not have access to any form of medical treatment, with many of them experiencing human rights violations, discrimination and stigma.
The ministry of health recently established the national mental programme to coordinate a national response and facilitate the development of relevant mental health policies, programmes and interventions in Nigeria.
