The Lagos State Government has expressed alarm over the acute shortage of mental health specialists in Nigeria. According to a report by Vanguard News, the state government is calling for immediate action to address this critical gap. Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, stated that the scarcity of mental health specialists is exacerbating the mental health crisis in the country. He further highlighted that the lack of mental health professionals is not only affecting adults but also children, who are losing their local intelligence to the influence of social media. This assertion echoes a separate report by Vanguard News, which cited Dr. Olusegun Borode, the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), as stating that social media and stigma are worsening youth mental health in Nigeria. While the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has not said when the facility began operating, another Vanguard News report suggests that the scarcity of mental health professionals is not limited to the general population, but also affects those in the correctional system. The Lagos Corrections Command is reportedly seeking affordable mental healthcare for youths. These reports collectively underscore the urgent need for increased investment in mental health services in Nigeria.
By
