The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) has called for the integration of mental health services into Nigeria’s Primary Healthcare (PHC) system to improve access to care and address the rising prevalence of mental health disorders nationwide.
The call was made on Monday at the MWAN National Executive Council Meeting and Scientific Conference, Harmony 2026, in Ilorin, where experts and stakeholders discussed strategies to improve women’s mental health outcomes.
Speaking at the conference, MWAN National President, Dr. Zainab Muhammad-Idris, described the theme, “Mental Health and Well-being of Women across the Life Course,” as timely and highly relevant.
She emphasized that mental health is no longer confined to outpatient clinics or counseling rooms but has become a critical issue requiring urgent attention across all sectors.
“It is a public health priority, a human rights issue, and a development imperative that must be addressed urgently. It influences how women learn, work, nurture families, contribute to society, and realize their full potential.”
Muhammad-Idris noted that women remain the backbone of families and communities but often carry invisible burdens stemming from gender inequality, financial pressures, insecurity, violence, discrimination, caregiving responsibilities, and workplace demands.
According to her, women frequently prioritize others’ needs above their own, leading to an epidemic of silent suffering that often goes unnoticed, untreated, and unrecognized by society.
She called for stronger partnerships, increased policy advocacy, expanded community-based interventions, and greater investment in mentorship, while ensuring mental health is integrated into all health programs nationwide.
Also speaking, Kwara MWAN President, Dr. Omotayo Oyinloye, urged governments at all levels to incorporate mental health services into the PHC system to improve accessibility.
Oyinloye explained that this would reduce the challenges patients face in traveling long distances to specialist hospitals and enable earlier detection and treatment of mental health conditions locally.
She stressed that primary healthcare physicians and medical officers could be trained to identify common mental health issues, provide basic treatment, and refer complex cases to specialists when necessary.
The MWAN state president emphasized that mental health is central to overall health, productivity, family stability, and national development, warning that many women’s challenges remain unnoticed and untreated.
“Many women silently bear enormous emotional burdens, hiding their struggles behind smiles because society expects women to be perpetually resilient. As medical women, we understand that there is no health without mental health.
“We are uniquely positioned not only to diagnose and treat illness but also to advocate for compassionate policies, reduce stigma, and ensure women receive holistic care at every stage of life.”
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Mosunmola Tunde-Ayinmode, a Psychiatry Professor at the University of Ilorin, said Nigeria bears a significant burden of mental health disorders.
She noted that one in four Nigerians experiences a mental health condition, worsened by drug and substance abuse and a shortage of specialists across the country.
Tunde-Ayinmode highlighted that the migration of healthcare professionals, known as the “Japa” syndrome, has deepened workforce shortages, with fewer than 250 psychiatrists actively practicing in Nigeria.
She explained that mental health is essential for effective human functioning and warned that neglecting mental health can negatively impact other aspects of health and wellness.
The psychiatrist advised mental health professionals to leverage digital platforms for service delivery, noting that these platforms are more affordable and accessible for many patients nationwide.
“Women are twice as likely to experience mental health issues, including anxiety and depression,” she said.
Tunde-Ayinmode also addressed the misconception that only people talking to themselves in public suffer from mental health disorders, describing such cases as severe manifestations.
She pointed out that many seemingly healthy, successful, and well-dressed individuals may also live with mental health conditions, underscoring the importance of awareness and early intervention.
The psychiatrist called for the effective implementation of Nigeria’s Mental Health Act and urged Nigerians to avoid stigmatizing people living with mental illness due to ignorance and cultural beliefs.
