FG Must Stop Criminalizing Suicide – Nigerian Mental Health

41 health Civil Society Organisations have called on the Federal Government to end the criminalization of suicide in the country.

The founder of Nigerian Mental Health, Chime Asonye recently revealed this to the press, and Nigerians have been reacting.

According to him, the government should begin to treat suicide as a public health issue, and it is wrong for it to be treated as a criminal case.

Chime added that individuals who try to take their life are psychologically vulnerable and need support, not detention or jail.

His words, “The World Health Organization notes that criminalizing suicide discourages people from seeking help for their mental health, which would be counterproductive to the effective dispensation of the Mental Health Act.”

“Suicide should be treated as a public health issue, not a criminal one. Individuals who try to take their life are psychologically vulnerable and need support, not detention or jail. The public is encouraged to join thousands of others in adding their voice to repeal these laws by signing our petition.”

“Currently, only two states Ekiti and Lagos have mental health legislation in the entire nation. The new Mental Health Act is the first legislative reform adopted in the field since the country’s Independence.”

“The regulation establishes human rights protections for those with mental health conditions, such as banning discrimination in housing, employment, medical, and other social services. It guarantees that those receiving treatments have the right to participate in the formulation of their medical plans and cannot have forced treatment, seclusion, or other methods of restraint without appropriate safeguards.”

“It also improves care, enhances the management of medical services, enshrines dignity and access to information, and ensures quality mental health services comparable to those with physical illnesses. Previous legislation was outdated and inhumane, based on a regulatory regime that had colonial origins.”