9th January, 2023
By Justina Auta
The Nigerian Mental Health Network has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the National Mental Health Bill 2021, into law.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Chime Asonye, the network’s founder, on Sunday in Abuja.
Asonye urged incoming administrations, however, to prioritise and implement the National Mental Health Bill 2021 in order to improve the country’s healthcare system.
According to him, the bill is the first legislative reform in the field since independence and a significant step toward improving psychosocial well-being support.
“The mental health community came together to speak with one voice in support of the bill.”
“We now need executive implementation, state governments to domesticate this legislation, and those contesting for elected offices to make mental health a national priority,” he said.
The network also called on the government to enact other critical reforms for those with mental health conditions, such as decriminalising attempted suicide, which is currently a felony subject to a year in prison.
They also urged the National Assembly to ensure gazetted copies of the bill are available to citizens, so they know their new legal rights.
He noted that the regulation, assented to on Jan. 5, established human rights protections for those with mental health conditions, such as banning discrimination in housing, employment, medical and other social services.
”It also guarantees that those receiving treatments have the right to participate in formulating their medical plans and cannot have forced treatment, seclusion or other methods of restraint.
“And other common practises in mental health facilities that do not have adequate safeguards,” he added.
According to him, other provisions of the bill include establishing a new mental health fund, a mental health department in the Federal Ministry of Health, and a mental health assessment committee to protect stakeholders.
Asonye further explained that the bill also expanded community-based coverage and improved the care and management of those with mental health conditions.
NAN