Taiwo Obindo, a psychiatrist, says decriminalising attempted suicide will enable more people to access mental health assessment, treatment and psychosocial support, while reducing barriers to seeking professional help.

Mr Obindo, professor of psychiatry and honorary consultant at the University of Jos and Jos University Teaching Hospital, said this on Tuesday. He explained that not all suicide attempts were linked to mental health conditions, emphasising that each case should be carefully assessed to determine underlying causes and appropriate interventions.

“Let me start by saying that not all cases of suicide or attempted suicide are mental health cases,” he said.

According to him, about 80 to 90 per cent of people who died by suicide were likely to have underlying depression, while other mental health conditions could contribute.

The psychiatrist said impulsive individuals might make decisions before adequately thinking through consequences, making professional assessment necessary to identify possible underlying mental illness and determine appropriate support needs.

“Those who do not have mental health conditions are then given psychosocial support to help them move on with life,” he said.

Mr Obindo, also chairman of the West Africa College of Physicians (Nigeria chapter), said warning signs included withdrawal, hopelessness, persistent low mood and loss of interest in activities.

He said poverty, significant losses, impulsivity, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and chronic illnesses could also contribute to suicidal thoughts, increasing the need for timely mental health interventions.

The immediate past president of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria said postpartum mental health conditions could predispose affected individuals to suicide or infanticide if untreated.

He said the federal government’s move to decriminalise attempted suicide, following Federal Executive Council approval, would allow the matter to proceed to the National Assembly.

Mr Obindo said rather than criminalising people who attempted suicide, they should be assessed and provided with appropriate treatment, rehabilitation services or psychosocial support based on identified needs.

He also called for the implementation of the National Mental Health Act and the establishment of a dedicated mental health department within the Federal Ministry of Health.

(NAN)

The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Sam Amadi, has hinted on the “only” path the Igbo race can produce Nigeria’s President.

Amadi disclosed that the only pathway for the Igbo nation to produce Nigeria’s President is through dignity.

Posting on X, Amdi wrote: “I have said it before, the only pathway to Igbo presidency in Nigeria is a path called ‘dignity’. Eji ndu eme gini (what is the value of life), talk less of Nigerian presidency, outside dignity.”

During the 2019 and 2023 elections, there were clamours for the South-East to produce Nigeria’s President.

Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi was the presidential running mate to then Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, flagbearer, Atiku Abubakar, in 2019 but the party lost.

In 2023, Obi decamped to the Labour Party, LP, in his push to become Nigeria’s President but he came third behind Atiku and eventual winner and candidate of the All Progressives Party, APC.

Meanwhile, Obi will again contest the 2027 presidential election under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.