A mental health advocacy group, Nigerian Mental Health (NMH), has welcomed the Senate’s passage of the Suicide Prevention Bill, 2024 (SB 730), seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria.

The bill, sponsored by the senator representing Cross River South Senatorial District, Asuquo Ekpenyong, passed second reading on 13 October 2026 and was referred to the Senate Committees on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further consideration.

NMH and the Nigeria Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group (NSPAWG) made their position known in a joint statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Friday, calling for inclusive public hearings as the bill progresses.

The organisations urged the Senate committees to allow mental health professionals, civil society organisations, healthcare professionals and people with lived experience to contribute to the legislative process.

Why the bill matters

Under Section 327 of the Criminal Code and Section 231 of the Penal Code, attempted suicide remains a criminal offence, with survivors exposed to the risk of prosecution and imprisonment.

NMH and NSPAWG said criminalisation can discourage people experiencing suicidal distress and their families from seeking timely support.

“A person who survives a suicide attempt should be able to access care without fear of criminal punishment,” the organisations said.

The groups cited World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that Nigeria records more than 15,000 deaths by suicide and roughly 300,000 suicide attempts annually.

The bill’s sponsor, Mr Ekpenyong, said during deliberations, that attempted suicide should be treated as a mental health emergency requiring medical intervention rather than criminal punishment.

What the bill proposes

The proposed legislation seeks to establish a coordinated national framework for suicide prevention, going beyond the removal of criminal penalties for attempted suicide.

It proposes medical assessment, referral, treatment and follow-up support for people who survive suicide attempts, as well as crisis-response services.

The bill also provides for training of relevant professionals and first responders, public education and stronger national data collection.

NMH and NSPAWG said effective implementation would require clear responsibilities, sustainable funding and accountability.

The organisations said the bill’s progress builds on advocacy efforts following the passage of the National Mental Health Act, 2021.

NMH said it launched the #SuicideNotCrimeNG campaign, bringing together more than 40 mental health organisations, professional associations and civil society partners calling for an end to the criminalisation of attempted suicide.

Akpabio’s position

The Senate’s consideration of the bill also featured opposition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio to removing imprisonment as a punishment for attempted suicide.

During the debate, Mr Akpabio argued that removing the penalty could encourage suicide attempts.

“If you attempt suicide, make sure you die. Anyone who attempts and fails will go to jail,” he said.

He also called for adequate input from state Houses of Assembly during the public hearing to avoid conflicts between the proposed legislation and existing laws.

Call for public hearings.

NMH and NSPAWG urged the two Senate committees handling the bill to ensure that the next stage of consideration is informed by evidence, the experiences of affected people and the practical realities of delivering mental health services across Nigeria.

“The Senate has moved the process forward; now it is our turn. This next stage, which opens the door to public hearings, is a meaningful opportunity for people with lived experience, mental health professionals, and civil society to engage and help shape a framework that protects lives and upholds human dignity,” said Chime Asonye, founder of NMH.

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The organisations urged Nigerians, health advocates and community leaders to participate by submitting memoranda and supporting the national petition for decriminalisation.

They also renewed their call on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to “operationalise and adequately fund the Department of Mental Health Services established under the National Mental Health Act, 2021.”

“The bill’s passage through second reading is progress, but the legislative process is not over. Nigeria needs a legal and service-delivery framework that prioritises prevention, treatment, recovery and the dignity of people experiencing suicidal distress,” NMH noted.

Bloating, a feeling of fullness or swelling in the abdomen, is common during pregnancy because hormonal changes slow digestion, increasing the likelihood of gas and constipation.

Although often harmless, persistent or unusual abdominal discomfort, particularly when accompanied by severe pain, vomiting, fever or vaginal bleeding, may indicate a condition requiring medical attention.

To explain the causes, management and warning signs of pregnancy-related bloating, PREMIUM TIMES spoke with Halimat Jimoh, a midwife, who also cautioned against self-medication.

Why bloating occurs during pregnancy

Ms Jimoh said bloating could occur at any stage of pregnancy, although some women experience it more during the first trimester because of hormonal changes.

She explained that increased progesterone levels relax the muscles of the digestive tract, slowing the movement of food through the intestines. This can cause gas accumulation, constipation and abdominal discomfort.

As pregnancy advances, the growing uterus may also put pressure on digestive organs.

According to her, pregnancy-related bloating is generally mild, may come and go, and can improve after passing gas or having a bowel movement.

However, she advised women not to assume that every episode of abdominal discomfort is a normal pregnancy symptom.

Warning signs women should not ignore

Ms Jimoh said severe or persistent abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, fever and vaginal bleeding should prompt medical assessment.

She noted that conditions such as gastrointestinal infections, appendicitis, gallbladder problems and intestinal obstruction could cause abdominal discomfort and swelling.

Severe upper abdominal pain, particularly on the right side, accompanied by a severe headache, changes in vision or sudden swelling of the face and hands, could indicate pre-eclampsia, a potentially serious pregnancy complication.

Other warning signs include difficulty breathing, fainting and a significant deterioration in the woman’s general condition.

She also advised women to seek immediate assessment if they notice reduced or absent fetal movements after their baby’s movements have become established.

Managing bloating safely

According to Ms Jimoh, fizzy drinks, beans and other gas-producing foods may worsen bloating in some women, while large meals and very fatty foods may increase digestive discomfort.

She recommended eating smaller, more frequent meals, eating slowly and drinking enough water. Gentle physical activity, such as walking, may also support digestion and relieve constipation.

For women experiencing constipation, she advised increasing fibre intake through fruits, vegetables and whole grains, while ensuring adequate fluid consumption.

However, she encouraged women to identify their individual food triggers rather than unnecessarily eliminating entire food groups from their diets.

Dangers of self-medication

Ms Jimoh warned against taking medicines or herbal preparations for bloating without consulting a qualified healthcare professional.

She explained that over-the-counter medicines are not automatically safe during pregnancy, as their suitability may depend on the stage of pregnancy and the woman’s individual circumstances.

She added that products described as natural are not necessarily safe, particularly when their ingredients have not been adequately studied in pregnancy or may interact with other medicines.

The midwife advised women to disclose their stage of pregnancy, medications and supplements to their healthcare providers before taking anything for persistent bloating or constipation.

She also cautioned that self-medication could mask symptoms of an underlying condition requiring treatment.

When to seek medical care

Ms Jimoh urged pregnant women to seek urgent medical attention when bloating occurs alongside severe or persistent abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, vaginal bleeding, fever, fainting or difficulty breathing.

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Sudden swelling of the face or hands, severe headache, visual disturbances and severe upper abdominal pain also require prompt assessment because they may indicate pre-eclampsia.

She reiterated that reduced or absent fetal movements warrant immediate assessment.

According to her, persistent, severe or unusual symptoms should be investigated rather than simply treated as digestive discomfort.

She encouraged women to seek professional advice whenever they are unsure whether a symptom is normal, stressing that timely assessment can help identify complications and prevent delays in care.