From Suleiman Lawal, Lafia
The Nasarawa State Government has revealed plans to restructure its health policy, with a focus on making mental health services accessible at the Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state.
This move is aimed at addressing the rising cases of suicide and mental health challenges.
This was disclosed by Dr. Gaza Gwamna, the Commissioner for Health, during a symposium held in Lafia to commemorate the 2024 World Suicide Prevention Day.
Dr Gwamna, represented by John Damian, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, highlighted suicide as a critical public health issue resulting from untreated mental health conditions.
He emphasized that both suicidal tendencies and suicide are preventable and treatable diseases, urging collaborative efforts to curb the crisis.
He further called on partners and stakeholders to join hands in creating awareness and ensuring that mental health services reach community members, a strategy the state believes will significantly reduce the rate of suicide.
Dr Ibrahim Adamu, Director of Public Health in the ministry, while addressing participants at the event, noted that the symposium was organized in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI). He described the event as a wake-up call for all stakeholders to contribute towards changing the narrative around suicide, in line with the 2024 theme, “Change the Narrative.”
Adamu stressed that the ongoing stigmatization and criminalization of suicide have only worsened the situation.
He called for a shift in perception, stating that suicide attempts and suicidal tendencies are medical conditions requiring professional intervention.
In his presentation, Dr Paul Agbo, a Consultant Psychiatrist at Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) in Lafia, identified stigma, criminalization, and lack of awareness as key obstacles to addressing suicide.
He cited global statistics, noting that 800,000 people die by suicide annually, with Nigeria falling within the global suicide belt. Agbo also pointed out that 90% of those who die by suicide had a mental health condition, establishing a direct link between mental illness and suicide.
He urged a societal shift in attitude towards mental health, emphasizing the need to treat mental health and suicide as public health issues.
He noted that financial constraints and marital conflicts are among the leading triggers of suicide in Nigeria, and advised Nigerians to look out for signs of depression and seek medical intervention instead of attributing these conditions to spiritual causes.
Agbo also cautioned the media against sensationalizing suicide cases, as such reports could inspire imitation among individuals with suicidal tendencies. He called on the government to prioritize mental health by training personnel and ensuring the availability of psychiatric medications at PHCs for easy access, particularly for those in rural communities.
