A professor of Psychiatry and Behavioural Medicine at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Olayinka Atilola, has raised concern over the worsening access to mental health services in Nigeria, blaming the trend on the increasing brain drain and the country’s deepening economic hardship.

Atilola told The Guardian that mental health services are becoming scarce and less affordable, as many trained professionals continue to leave the country while the cost of care rises beyond the reach of most citizens.

“Hospitals have increased their premiums for services, including mental health, and health insurance companies have been forced to withdraw from several hospitals where people used to access quality care,” he said.

He explained that the economic crisis has forced many Nigerians who previously relied on private mental health care to abandon treatment due to cost, further worsening the country’s mental health burden.

Atilola identified poor mental health literacy, high out-of-pocket expenditure, and limited health insurance coverage as major barriers to access. He urged the Federal Government to ensure that mental health services are fully integrated into the national health insurance scheme.

“Studies done in Nigeria show that between one in six and one in ten people need mental health services. Extrapolating from our population of about 250 million, that means roughly 25 to 40 million Nigerians require mental health care,” he said.

He lamented that despite the high prevalence, a significant proportion of those in need are unable to access care due to stigma, limited facilities, and a shortage of professionals.

According to global data, about one in every six people worldwide will need mental health services in their lifetime, a trend that equally applies to Nigeria.

Atilola further noted that risk factors for mental illness include genetic predisposition, family history of mental disorders, depression, and adverse childhood experiences.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to addressing long-standing barriers to mental healthcare, including stigma, discrimination, and high treatment costs.

Speaking at a recent mental health event in Abuja, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, said the government is working to ensure financial protection for people living with mental health conditions, noting that most Nigerians still pay out-of-pocket for treatment.

Pate called on healthcare professionals to deliver mental health care with empathy, compassion, and respect, emphasising that mental health should be treated as a fundamental human right.

“Mental health is not a luxury; it is a fundamental human right. Just as people deserve physical health care, housing, education, and safety, they also deserve access to mental health services for dignity and well-being. This becomes even more critical during crises,” he said.

The minister added that the government’s efforts are part of a broader drive to integrate mental health into primary healthcare, strengthen community-based support, and ensure that no Nigerian is left behind in accessing the care they need.