In the lead-up to tomorrow’s World Mental Health Day, I had the honour of co-convening a High-Level Roundtable on Suicide Decriminalisation and Crisis Support in Nigeria as Global Honorary Patron of LifeLine International, alongside His Excellency Svein Bæra, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, who graciously welcomed us to his residence in Abuja, and His Excellency Mr David Port, Acting High Commissioner of Australia.

We were honoured to be joined by Distinguished Senator Dr Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, and by representatives of the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu; the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; and Distinguished Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong.

The Federal Executive Council’s approval, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, of a proposed amendment to the National Mental Health Act marks a considered and compassionate step for our nation, recognising that a person who attempts to take their own life is in acute distress and deserves care, protection and support. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 7,000 Nigerians die by suicide each year, with around 300,000 attempts, and the experience of Ghana and Malaysia, which reformed their laws in 2023, shows that help-seeking rises when the law meets people with care.

Reform opens the door, and what lies beyond it must be ready to receive people. We discussed toll-free crisis lines that answer at every hour, trained community responders, and clear pathways from first contact to treatment, guided by this year’s theme, Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.

As the proposal proceeds to the National Assembly, LifeLine International, its Members in Nigeria and The Wellbeing Foundation Africa stand ready to support the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Nigeria and our legislators with technical expertise and comparative insight.

My sincere thanks to the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the Australian High Commission for their partnership and hospitality, and to every clinician, advocate and partner who joined us.

 

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