The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the revision of the National Mental Health Act for the decriminalisation of the attempted suicide in Nigeria.
Muhammed Pate, Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, who spoke after yesterday’s meeting, said suicide was a major public health concern in Nigeria, with the World Health Organization estimating more than 7,000 deaths per year and an estimated 300,000 suicide attempts across the country annually, Channels TV reports.
He said the attempted suicide continues to be criminalised under the colonial-era laws, with Criminal Code Act Section 327 and Penal Code Section 231, treating people experiencing psychological distress as offenders rather than persons in need of care and support, despite the significant burden.
“This legal position discourages help-seeking behaviour and is contrary to the National Mental Health Act 2021, which provides for supportive care, protection and treatment to persons at risk of self-harm, he said.
The FEC has now approved an amendment to the Mental Health Act that the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare have been working on.
It is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly for legislation.
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