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Community Pharmacists to Play Crucial Roles in Mental Health Care in Nigeria

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Board of Fellows of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (BOF-PSN) is set to hold its 2025 Mid-Year PubAlic Lecture, which will focus on the importance of community pharmacists in mental health care. The lecture, themed "Mental Health: A Basic Human Right Crucial to Personal, Community, and Socio-Economic DevelAopment," will emphasize the need for both federal and state governments to provide adequate training for community pharmacists to ensure more effective mental healthcare delivery.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2025 Mid-Year PubAlic Lecture will highlight the crucial roles community pharmacists play in mental health care, particularly in providing accessible and comprehensive care to patients with mental health conditions.
  • Approximately 40 million Nigerians, or 20 percent of the population, are affected by mental illness, with around 50 million people experiencing mental health issues at some point in their lives.
  • The country has a severe mental health crisis, with fewer than 250 psychiatrists available, translating to a ratio of one psychiatrist per milAlion people, far below the World Health OrganisaAtion's recommended ratio of one psychiatrist per 10,000 people.
  • Unfortunately, about 80 percent of people in Nigeria with severe mental health needs are unable to obtain care due to stigma, negative social attitudes, lack of facilities, resources, and mental health professionals.
  • Traditionally, mental health treatment in Nigeria is provided through non-orthodox means, such as traditional and superAnatural healers, accounting for approximately 70 percent of mental health treatment.

Statistics:

  • 40 million Nigerians (20 percent of the population) are affected by mental illness.
  • 50 million people experience mental health issues at some point in their lives.
  • 7 million Nigerians (3.9 percent of the population) had depressive disorders.
  • 4.9 million Nigerians (2.7 percent) had anxiety disorders in 2017.
  • The country has fewer than 250 psychiatrists, translating to a ratio of one psychiatrist per milAlion people.

Sources:

  • Apakama, U. (BOF-PSN Chairman)
  • Gbonjubola Babalola Abiri, (Keynote Speaker)
  • Lucas B. Koyejo, (Panelist)
  • Abubakar Liman Wali, (Panelist)
  • Veronica Modupe Okugbeni, (Panelist)
  • Damian Izuka, (General Secretary)
  • Ike Ugwu, (Speaker)
  • Gbenga Falabi, (Local Organising Committee Chairman)

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