Lawmakers in the lower chambers are demanding prioritisation and implementation of the provisions of the Mental Health Law 2021 in a bid to reduce the rising cases of suicides in the country.
Consequently, the house ordered the Federal Ministry of Health, alongside other relevant Health institutions to ensure that research on mental health was put into practice to ensure evidence-based care to Nigerian citizens.
The House also demanded the establishment of National Mental Health Counseling Centre and Mental Health Centres in at least all the federal constituencies in the country.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion moved by Uchenna Nwachukwu at the Plenary season presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu.
Referencing several suicide cases, Nwachukwu expressed worry that the risk factors for suicide such as mental health conditions, substance use, child abuse and neglect among others pose huge threats to Nigerians.
