Taiwo Obindo, a psychiatrist, says decriminalising attempted suicide will enable more people to access mental health assessment, treatment and psychosocial support, while reducing barriers to seeking professional help.
Mr Obindo, professor of psychiatry and honorary consultant at the University of Jos and Jos University Teaching Hospital, said this on Tuesday.
He explained that not all suicide attempts were linked to mental health conditions, emphasising that each case should be carefully assessed to determine underlying causes and appropriate interventions.
“Let me start by saying that not all cases of suicide or attempted suicide are mental health cases,” he said.
According to him, about 80 to 90 per cent of people who died by suicide were likely to have underlying depression, while other mental health conditions could contribute.
The psychiatrist said impulsive individuals might make decisions before adequately thinking through consequences, making professional assessment necessary to identify possible underlying mental illness and determine appropriate support needs.
“Those who do not have mental health conditions are then given psychosocial support to help them move on with life,” he said.
Mr Obindo, also chairman of the West Africa College of Physicians (Nigeria chapter), said warning signs included withdrawal, hopelessness, persistent low mood and loss of interest in activities.
He said poverty, significant losses, impulsivity, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and chronic illnesses could also contribute to suicidal thoughts, increasing the need for timely mental health interventions.
The immediate past president of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria said postpartum mental health conditions could predispose affected individuals to suicide or infanticide if untreated.
He said the federal government’s move to decriminalise attempted suicide, following Federal Executive Council approval, would allow the matter to proceed to the National Assembly.
Mr Obindo said rather than criminalising people who attempted suicide, they should be assessed and provided with appropriate treatment, rehabilitation services or psychosocial support based on identified needs.
He also called for the implementation of the National Mental Health Act and the establishment of a dedicated mental health department within the Federal Ministry of Health.
(NAN)