By Peter Omopo
Abuja | September 10, 2025 — The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has urged Nigerians to protect lives, end stigma around mental illness, and strengthen community support as the country joined the global community to mark World Suicide Prevention Day on Wednesday.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, the Ministry reassured citizens: “Your life matters, and hope is real.”
This year’s observance, themed “Creating Hope Through Action,” highlights how small, meaningful gestures can inspire hope and prevent suicide. The day, first initiated in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), aims to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and mobilise communities worldwide to take collective action.
The Ministry noted that Nigeria is scaling up its response to mental health challenges. It pointed to the National Mental Health Policy, which integrates mental health into primary healthcare, and the Mental Health Act of 2023, which has strengthened rights and protections for people living with mental health conditions.
“Efforts are underway to expand mental health awareness campaigns and crisis support services nationwide,” the Ministry said, adding that suicide prevention must be seen as a shared responsibility involving families, workplaces, faith leaders, and communities.
Officials also warned that stigma remains a major barrier. “Thousands of lives are lost annually in Nigeria, yet many cases go unreported due to stigma,” the statement read.
The Ministry encouraged Nigerians to check in on friends and loved ones, listen without judgment, and seek professional help when needed. Health workers, it added, are being trained to offer counselling and crisis support.
By marking the day, Nigeria aligned with the global call to treat mental health as seriously as physical health. As the Ministry’s message concluded: “Feelings change. Pain is temporary. Hope is real.”
