Mental Health: Commissioner raises alarm as Ogun records over 10,000 patients in six months
The Ogun State Government has raised alarm over the increasing rate of mental health patients, saying that the burden is real and growing, just as it recorded over 10,000 patient within the first six months of 2025.
The Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker stated this while briefing newsmen as part of activities to commemorate the year 2025 World Mental Health Day, held at the ministry’s conference room, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.
DAILY POST reports that October 10th is a day set aside to raise awareness, strengthen commitment and commemorate the World Mental Health Day, with the year’s celebration themed, “Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies”.
Coker who was represented by her Permanent Secretary, Dr Oladehinde Kayode, revealed that the data gotten from the four service points in Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode, Ilaro, and Ota showed that nearly 1,000 were new patients, while others were follow-ups.
She asserted that the government cannot address the issue on its own and urged employers to establish supportive work environments that foster mental health, families to create safe spaces for open conversations, while religious and community leaders to use their platforms to preach for compassion and access to care.
The commissioner reassured struggling residents that they are not alone and that the government is prepared and willing to provide assistance, pointing out that in addition to destroying infrastructure and livelihoods, natural disasters including disease outbreaks, insecurity, and conflicts, among other things, also leave deep psychological scars.
She said, “In Nigeria, more than 90% of people living with mental illness do not have access to proper care. Mental health is not a privilege, it is a fundamental human right. In Ogun State, the burden of mental health is real and growing.
“Data from our four service points, Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode, Ilaro, and Ota show that in just the first half of 2025, we recorded over 10,000 patient visits and nearly 1,000 were new patients, while others were follow-ups, reflecting the chronic nature of these conditions. The top conditions were psychosis, neurosis, epilepsy, depression, and substance use disorders .
“During such crises, people face trauma, stress, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and in some cases suicidal thoughts. Sadly, most of those affected are unable to access care due to limited services, stigma, and cost barriers”.
“There is no health without mental health especially in times of catastrophes and Emergencies and as we mark World Mental Health Day 2025, let us be reminded that the government is committed to building a state where mental health services are accessible, affordable, and acceptable to all”.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Health in the ministry, Dr. Kayode Soyinka, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Deborah Osisanwo, stated that the state have inaugurated a 26- man mental health committee saddled with the responsibility of raising awareness, and mobilizing communities toward mental health access.
The committee is to be chaired by Dr. Olajide Abayomi, a consultant psychiatrist at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital Aro Abeokuta, with other members selected from across various MDAs and agencies in the state.