Nigeria Faces Rising Mental Health Crisis – Expert Raises Alarm

…Calls for stronger drug control, improved access to care and prevention strategies

A neurologist and brain health expert, Dr. Temitope Farombi, has raised concern over the growing impact of stress and substance abuse on mental health, particularly among young people.

Dr. Farombi, in an interview with the Publisher of National Daily News, said increasing levels of stress are overwhelming many individuals, pushing them beyond their natural coping capacity and leading to harmful behaviours.

According to him, youths whose coping mechanisms are overstretched often resort to substance abuse as an escape.“When people can no longer cope, they begin to seek alternatives, and unfortunately, this often involves drugs that alter brain function and create a dependence on feeling ‘high,’’ She said.

She noted that substances such as ecstasy and other psychoactive drugs negatively affect brain function and are becoming widely used due to easy accessibility and weak regulation.

The expert warned that substance abuse, combined with stress, is contributing to a rise in mental health conditions, including severe depression and suicidal tendencies, especially among young people.

Dr. Farombi explained that stress distorts the brain’s natural coping system, but added that other factors such as genetic predisposition and family history also play a role in mental health disorders.

She described mental health as a broad field covering conditions such as psychosis, mood disorders, and schizophrenia, noting that affected individuals may experience distorted thinking, delusions, or detachment from reality.

The neurologist cautioned against general assumptions about mental illness, stating that not all individuals seen roaming the streets suffer from schizophrenia, as some cases are linked to substance abuse.

On behavioural issues, She said anger is a normal human emotion but becomes a concern when it results in violence or self-harm, which may indicate underlying psychological conditions requiring medical attention.

Dr. Farombi also highlighted a growing trend of substance abuse among young women, attributing it to peer pressure, social media influence, and the desire for social acceptance.

She expressed concern over the shortage of healthcare professionals in Nigeria, noting that many doctors are emigrating in search of better opportunities abroad, leaving a gap in mental health care delivery.

“Training a doctor takes several years, and becoming a specialist can take over a decade, yet the number of available experts is far below what is needed,” She said.

To address the gap, She recommended task shifting, training non-specialist healthcare workers to handle basic mental health cases, and strengthening primary healthcare systems to improve access at the community level.

Dr. Farombi also called for stricter drug regulation, stressing that prescription medications should not be freely accessible without proper authorization.

She identified affordability as another major barrier to healthcare access, noting that many Nigerians pay for medical services out of pocket due to low health insurance coverage.

The neurologist emphasized the importance of preventive healthcare, including healthy living, proper nutrition, adequate rest, and regular medical check-ups.

While acknowledging efforts by some organisations to provide free medical outreach, he said such initiatives are limited and not sustainable.

She urged government and stakeholders to focus on building strong healthcare systems through improved policies, increased funding, and effective regulation.

“This is a systemic issue. Without proper structures in place, the problem will continue to grow and may eventually affect everyone,” She said.