What Nigeria must do to transform mental Health Care – Dedoyin Ajayi calls for urgent action

In a powerful call to action, Dedoyin Ajayi, Co-Founder of My Therapist.ng, has outlined a clear roadmap for transforming mental health care in Nigeria. In a recent post, Ajayi shared her insights on the pressing mental health challenges facing the country and presented a set of recommendations drawn from real-life examples and a survey of over 1,500 Nigerians. At the forefront of her plan are the urgent issues of stigma, inadequate infrastructure, and the shortage of trained professionals.

Key Recommendations to Address Nigeria’s Mental Health Crisis

1. Eradicating Stigma

Ajayi stresses that stigma remains the most significant barrier to mental health care in Nigeria, with many viewing mental illness through a lens of spirituality or moral failure. To combat this, she calls for a nationwide public education campaign that engages the media, influencers, and community leaders to demystify mental health and encourage open conversations.

“Stigma holds back millions of Nigerians from seeking help,” Ajayi writes. “We need to shift the narrative and promote mental health as an essential aspect of overall well-being.”

2. Expanding Mental Health Facilities

The scarcity of mental health facilities is a glaring issue in Nigeria. With only eight federal neuropsychiatric hospitals serving a population of over 200 million, Ajayi argues that urgent steps must be taken to expand access to care. She advocates for the establishment of mental health clinics in all 774 local government areas, with a focus on underserved and rural populations.

“Access to mental health services should not be a privilege; it should be a right,” Ajayi asserts. “We must bring services closer to the people, especially in rural and underserved areas.”

3. Training More Mental Health Professionals

Ajayi highlights the critical shortage of mental health professionals, with fewer than 500 psychiatrists currently practicing in the country. To address this, she recommends increasing the availability of training opportunities, offering scholarships, and creating incentive programs to encourage more Nigerians to enter the mental health field.

“Training the next generation of mental health professionals is essential for building a sustainable system,” Ajayi says. “We need more Nigerians to consider mental health as a viable and rewarding career path.”

4. Integrating Mental Health into Primary Care

Citing successful models from countries like Rwanda, Ajayi emphasizes the importance of integrating mental health services into existing primary health care frameworks. By screening for mental health issues during routine primary care visits, Nigeria can promote early diagnosis and preventive care, reducing the burden on specialized facilities.

“Integrating mental health into primary care ensures that it becomes a standard part of healthcare, rather than something separate or stigmatized,” Ajayi explains.

5. Making Mental Health Care More Affordable

High treatment costs remain a major barrier for many Nigerians seeking mental health care. Ajayi urges the government to include mental health coverage under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), making therapy, medications, and hospital visits more affordable and accessible to the average Nigerian.

“Health insurance must cover mental health, just as it covers physical health,” she says. “No one should have to choose between paying for mental health care and meeting other basic needs.”

6. Leveraging Private Sector Innovations

Ajayi also points to the growing role of private sector startups, particularly those using technology to deliver mental health services. Platforms offering teletherapy and other digital solutions are helping bridge the gap where traditional services fall short. She highlights data from MyTherapist.ng’s research showing that while 91% of Nigerians consider mental health a critical issue, many still don’t know where to access reliable, confidential care.

“Technology-driven platforms can be a game-changer in reaching underserved populations and offering discreet, convenient support,” she says.

7. Supporting Community-Based Mental Health Initiatives

Lastly, Ajayi emphasizes the importance of community-based networks in mental health recovery. Peer-led initiatives and low-cost community centers, similar to Kenya’s Friendship Bench program, can provide essential support by training community health workers to offer basic therapy. These local initiatives can help reduce the burden on centralized mental health services and foster a supportive environment for individuals facing mental health challenges.

“Community support is crucial for recovery,” Ajayi asserts. “When people are supported by those who understand their experiences, healing becomes more accessible.”

A Collective Responsibility for Mental Health Reform

Ajayi’s message underscores that transforming mental health care in Nigeria is not the responsibility of any one group. It requires collaboration between government agencies, private sector stakeholders, local communities, and the public. As societal awareness grows, she calls for policymakers and service providers to align resources and create a robust, stigma-free environment for mental health care.

“We all have a role to play in transforming mental health care in Nigeria