LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Ogun State is witnessing a sharp and troubling rise in mental health cases, with over 10,000 patient visits recorded between January and June 2025. Health authorities are sounding the alarm over what they describe as a rapidly escalating mental health crisis that demands urgent, coordinated action.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, revealed this staggering figure during a briefing in Abeokuta, marking the 2025 World Mental Health Day. Represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Oladehinde Kayode, Coker emphasized the alarming scale of the problem, noting that nearly 1,000 were first-time patients while the rest were returning for follow-up care.
The data, collected from four major mental health service points across Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, Ilaro, and Ota, underscores a growing public health burden. Common diagnoses include psychosis, neurosis, epilepsy, depression, and substance use disorders.
Coker warned that the rise in mental illness is being driven, in part, by ongoing catastrophes and emergencies such as floods, insecurity, disease outbreaks, and other natural disasters. These events leave deep psychological scars, often resulting in trauma, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.
Unfortunately, many affected individuals struggle to access care due to limited services, stigma, and high costs.
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Referencing data from the World Health Organization (WHO), Coker highlighted that one in four people globally will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. In Nigeria, over 90 percent of those affected lack adequate access to care.
“Mental health is not a privilege, it is a fundamental human right,” Coker stated.
To improve access, the Ogun State Government has established community mental health hospitals in the four key regions and formed the Ogun State Mental Health Action Committee, led by Dr. Olajide Abayomi. The 26-member committee will spearhead community sensitization, education, and outreach in alignment with the National Policy on Mental Health.
Calling on the public and private sectors to support mental wellness initiatives, Coker stressed that government efforts alone are not enough.
Therefore, she urged families to create open spaces for mental health conversations, encouraged employers to foster supportive workplaces that prioritize mental well-being, and appealed to community and religious leaders to use their platforms to reduce stigma and promote access to care.
On the issue of substance abuse, particularly among youth, the state is collaborating with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to tackle drug trafficking and addiction.
Additional interventions include vocational training and sports programs via the Ministry of Youth and Sports, aimed at providing positive and creative outlets for young people.
With mental health cases rising at an alarming pace, Ogun State’s health authorities are urging immediate, collective action. From expanding services to fighting stigma and engaging communities, the time to address the mental health crisis is now.