Mental Breakdown is Becoming Normal in Nigeria

By Hafsat Ibrahim

The ingredients of a good life go far beyond material wealth. True wellbeing is anchored on sound health, peace of mind, freedom, and happiness. In today’s Nigeria, where the economy is harsh and every day feels like a desperate push to survive, we must not overlook the state of our mental health.

Mental health is more than just the absence of illness. It is a condition of emotional and psychological balance that allows people to cope with stress, learn and work productively, build healthy relationships, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 20 million Nigerians—around 20% of our population—live with mental health conditions. Even more alarming is that only 10% of these individuals ever receive any form of care. That means just two million people out of twenty million get help.

It’s a staggering gap in a country that has now been ranked among those with the highest depression rates globally. Mental illness in Nigeria has been described as a national emergency, yet the silence surrounding it is deafening.

The situation calls for more than pity—it demands urgent intervention, with increased funding, upgraded facilities, and grassroots efforts to change the narrative. For any nation to function well, its citizens must be physically and mentally healthy.

Without this, we cannot expect real development. A mentally unwell population cannot be productive or innovative, no matter how many reforms or policies are announced from above. Just yesterday, I had a morning commute that left me disturbed for the rest of the day.

First, I witnessed a heated fight between a driver and a passenger over ₦100 change. The chaos escalated, creating a traffic jam. Soon after, two young men tried to dash across a busy expressway during rush hour. One of them was hit by a car. Thankfully, he survived.

These incidents may seem unrelated, but to me, they exposed a deeper crisis—an invisible pressure cooker many Nigerians live in daily. The strain of financial hardship, emotional exhaustion, misplaced aggression, and the burden of unmet responsibilities have become our national reality.

Mental wellbeing is under attack, and we cannot pretend otherwise. Mental health isn’t something to be brushed aside. It determines how we think, feel, and respond to life’s challenges. It influences how we manage relationships, deal with disappointment, and handle daily stressors.

When left unchecked, mental health conditions can lead to long-term disorders, psychological disabilities, breakdowns in functioning, and even suicide. Some of the most common conditions affecting Nigerians today include anxiety, depression, trauma (including PTSD), mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, and psychotic conditions like schizophrenia.

But these names are often buried under stigma, making it difficult for those suffering to speak up or seek help. We must do better. Ignoring mental health doesn’t make it go away—it only makes the consequences worse. If left unaddressed, poor mental health can derail lives, destroy families, hinder productivity, and tear apart communities.

But early intervention, open conversations, and access to care can make a world of difference. This is why we must raise awareness—because talking about mental health helps dismantle stigma.

It encourages people to seek help early, promotes self-care, and creates a culture where emotional wellbeing is seen as just as important as physical health. Mental health is not a luxury for the privileged. It is a necessity for everyone, especially in a country where the daily struggle often feels like a fight for survival.

I therefore urge my fellow Nigerians: take care of your mind. Prioritise your peace. Engage in self-care—whether through exercise, mindfulness, or prayer. Connect with loved ones. Seek professional help when needed.

And most importantly, find moments of joy, no matter how fleeting, to nourish your soul. Because when we take mental health seriously, we begin to reclaim control over our lives—and that, in itself, is a powerful form of freedom.