Mental health care services in Nigeria: A qualitative enquiry from family physicians’ perspective

TL;DR

This study explores the current state of mental health services in Nigeria from the perspective of family physicians, highlighting major challenges and areas needing improvement.

Contribution

The paper provides a qualitative assessment of mental health service delivery in Nigeria through the lens of family physicians, identifying five key themes for improvement.

Findings

Mental health services in Nigeria are poorly integrated into the healthcare system.

There is a significant shortage of mental health specialists and weak mental health policies.

Family physicians report poor knowledge and management of mental health issues.

Abstract

Mental health has emerged as a critical facet of human well-being, necessitating focused on global attention due to an exceptional rise in the prevalence of mental disorders worldwide. Nigeria, like many other countries, faces various mental health challenges that profoundly affect the lives of its populace. This is further aggravated by a near-total lack of integration of mental health services into the country’s existing health care structures. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the current situation of mental health services across Nigeria’s health systems from family physicians’ perspectives.This descriptive cross-sectional qualitative study that used an in-depth interview guide to collect data on the current status of mental health service provision in Nigeria among family physicians located in different levels of health care in all six geopolitical regions of the country. Interviews were conducted with 23 participants and analysed using content analysis and presented using thematic categorization. Five (5) themes emerged from the participants’ description of the current status of mental healthcare situation in Nigeria: (i) Stand-alone Health Facility and Coverage for Mental Health Service Provision in Nigeria, (ii) Inadequacy of Mental Health Specialists (iii) Increasing Prevalence and Burden of Mental Health in Nigeria, (iv) Poor knowledge of mental health management, and (v) Weak Policy on Mental Health Service. There are gaps to be filled to optimize mental health service delivery in Nigeria. The study participants identified five key factors that stakeholders need to consider improving the state of mental health services in Nigeria.

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