Obi while marking this year’s World Mental Health Day also noted that suicides fuelled by anxiety and depression are on the rise in Nigeria
By Kehinde Okeowo
Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi has said worsening economic situation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration is one of the factors fuelling mental health cases in Nigeria.
He made this known as Nigerians joined the rest of the world on Thursday to commemorate this year’s World Mental Health Day.
Speaking via his official X page, the former Anambra governor noted that mental health remains one of the critical health issues not given the due attention it deserves in Nigeria.
He further lamented that suicide cases fuelled by anxiety and depression are on the rise in the country.
Obi said, “In Nigeria, mental health remains one of the critical health issues not given the due attention it deserves.
“The worsening economic situation resulting from hunger, poverty, and income inequalities in the country, coupled with other socio-political issues affecting the nation, have continued to fuel a growing menace of mental health cases.
“The National Institute of Health reports that about 40 to 60 million Nigerians suffer various forms of mental ailment.”
