Nigeria’s response to the growing mental health challenges facing young people is under renewed scrutiny as experts call for stronger action to turn existing policies into accessible healthcare services.
The concerns come as policymakers, psychiatrists, health professionals, regulators, security officials and civil society representatives gather in Lagos on Friday for the fourth Vanguard Mental Health Summit, taking place at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island.
Organized by Vanguard Media Limited, the summit is themed “Advancing Youth Mental Health in Nigeria through Access, Action and Advocacy,” with a sub-theme focusing on mental health in the digital age and the effects of social media, technology and online interactions on wellbeing.
The discussions are expected to address depression, anxiety, substance abuse, trauma, social isolation and other pressures affecting young Nigerians.
Experts Seek Practical Solutions
A major concern is the gap between government policies and the ability of people experiencing mental health difficulties to obtain timely, affordable and appropriate care.
The summit is expected to examine barriers to treatment, early intervention, rehabilitation and accountability, while considering the responsibilities of government, families, schools, healthcare providers, communities and technology platforms.
The President of the Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria, Dr Veronica Oluyemisi Nyamali, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address.
Professor Taiwo Lateef Sheikh of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, will speak on mental health as social capital, while Professor Mashudat Bello-Mojeed will examine issues relating to psychiatry, public health and young people’s wellbeing.
The President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Professor Afekhide Ernest Omoti, is also expected to address how mental health policies can be translated into practical services.
Another session will explore the relationship between youth drug addiction and the justice system, with attention to treatment, rehabilitation and recovery rather than relying solely on punitive responses.
Social Media and Access to Treatment
The influence of digital platforms on young people’s mental health will also feature prominently, particularly as online interactions and technology become increasingly embedded in everyday life.
Participants are expected to consider how digital environments can contribute to psychological pressure and social isolation, as well as how technology might support mental healthcare.
The programme will also examine Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain and may be considered for certain mental health conditions when conventional treatments have not worked adequately.
The summit’s chief host is Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi. Other prominent participants include Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Professor Muhammad Ali Pate and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Chairman Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (retd.).
As the discussions unfold, the central challenge remains how to ensure that mental health support is available before problems escalate into crises.
Stakeholders are expected to focus on improving access to treatment, strengthening early intervention and ensuring that government institutions and other relevant actors take concrete responsibility for young people’s psychological wellbeing.
