A mental health expert, Ezera Emetu, has cautioned that the continued criminalization of attempted suicide in Nigeria is hindering suicide prevention efforts and deepening the country’s mental health crisis.

Speaking during the recent World Suicide Prevention Day, themed “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” Emetu emphasized the urgent need for Nigeria to move away from punitive measures and adopt a treatment-focused approach for individuals experiencing severe psychological distress.

He noted that under Section 327 of the Nigerian Criminal Code, attempted suicide remains a criminal offence, leaving individuals vulnerable to arrest and prosecution instead of receiving the medical care they need. According to him, this legal stance reinforces stigma, discourages people from seeking help, and forces suicidal behaviour into silence.

“Suicide is not a crime problem; it is a health problem,” Emetu stated. “When people fear arrest, they conceal their pain rather than seek help. That silence costs lives.”

Public health estimates indicate that over 15,000 Nigerians die by suicide annually, although experts believe the figure is significantly underreported due to stigma, cultural barriers, and fear of legal repercussions. Studies also show that nearly 90 percent of suicide cases are associated with mental health and substance use disorders, with depression identified as a major contributing factor.

Despite the growing concern, access to mental health care remains severely limited. With fewer than 300 psychiatrists serving a population of over 200 million people, many communities lack access to professional support. Experts warn that this shortage, combined with the criminalization of attempted suicide, widens the gap between those in need and available care.

Emetu, who has been actively involved in mental health advocacy through community education and outreach initiatives, observed that many individuals delay or avoid treatment due to widespread misconceptions that mental illness is a moral or spiritual failing.

“No one recovers from depression because they were arrested,” he said.

He further stressed that criminalization perpetuates the false notion that mental illness is a sign of weakness rather than a medical condition that can be effectively treated.

According to him, countries that have decriminalized attempted suicide and adopted public health–centered approaches have seen improvements in help-seeking behaviour and reductions in suicide rates.

While acknowledging the importance of family, culture, and spirituality in supporting emotional wellbeing, Emetu maintained that these cannot replace access to professional care. He urged policymakers to repeal laws criminalizing attempted suicide and to invest in community-based mental health services, crisis intervention systems, school counselling programmes, and public awareness campaigns to combat stigma.

“If Nigeria is serious about suicide prevention, it must change the narrative,” he said. “Every suicide attempt is a cry for help, and the response should be care, not punishment.”