OWERRI, Nigeria — One in five Nigerians — an estimated 20 million people — are currently living with mental health conditions, according to a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The alarming statistic was highlighted on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, during a mental health training programme in Owerri, Imo State.
Dr. Azubike Aliche, Secretary of the Board of Trustees for the Nigeria-American Institute for Mental Health (NAIMH), made the disclosure while speaking at the event, which was organised in partnership with the Centre for Social Awareness, Advocacy and Ethics (CSAAE), a non-governmental organisation.
The four-day training is part of the WHO’s mental health GAP Action Programme (mhGAP), aimed at bridging the treatment gap in mental health care by equipping non-psychiatrists with tools to identify and manage mental health symptoms in their communities.
Sponsored by the Nigeria Mental Health Practitioners (NMHP) USA Incorporated, the initiative is targeting 25 primary healthcare professionals from five local government areas in Imo State during its pilot phase.
Dr. Aliche described Nigeria’s mental health crisis as “alarming,” citing global rankings that place Nigeria among countries with the highest rates of depression.
“Available reports indicate that only 10 per cent of people living with mental illness have access to care in Nigeria, and this has to change,” Aliche said.
Rev. Sr. Josephine Nzeke, an executive member of NMHP USA, explained that after completing the training, participants would return to their local health centres to offer grassroots mental health support.
Imo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Chioma Egu, who was present at the event, called the mental health crisis a “global challenge” and urged organisers to align their work with existing government policies on mental health.
Justice Ulunta, a training facilitator from the Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu, appealed to the government for greater investment in mental health services, including the training of specialists and the equipping of healthcare facilities.
Miss Francisca Ekwonu, Chief Operations Officer of CSAAE, emphasised the importance of grassroots engagement.
She said the organisation remains committed to expanding mental health access through its C-Health programme.
“As Nigerians grapple with hardship and young people are subjected to information overload, it is part of our mission to propagate mental health support at the grassroots,” Ekwonu said.
She also announced a toll-free mental health support line — 08009001000 — staffed by trained specialists available to assist individuals in distress.
