Nigeria has a mental health problem

One in four Nigerians suffers from mental illness, but help is hampered by tight budgets and a lack of skilled staff.

On the outside, the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba seems tranquil.

But on the inside of this century-old facility - one of only a half-dozen psychiatric centres in Lagos, and the only one run by the federal government of Nigeria - tensions are running high.

Nigeria's Mental Health System Needs Urgent Attention

Participants today during an online mental health talk facilitated by Mental Health Drive Initiative (MHDi) has called on individuals, groups and government at all levels to pay an urgent attention to the state of the nation's mental health system. This was done in commemoration of Nigeria's 59 years of Independence.

Speaking during the session, which was centered on Nigeria's Mental Health System @ 59 - The past, present and future, the convener of the Initiative, Nurse Faleti D. D. stated that much support is not  being given to mental illness unlike the case of HIV and TB whereby there are free drugs.