A consultant neuropsychiatrist, Dr. Maymunah Kadiri, has identified psychosocial challenges and mental health conditions as major factors contributing to suicide in Nigeria.
Kadiri, who is also the Medical Director of Pinnacle Medical Services Ltd., made the observation on Tuesday while speaking with journalists in Lagos.
She said that many people who attempt or die by suicide are often experiencing underlying mental health or psychosocial problems.
According to her, such challenges include depression, anxiety, mental disorders, social isolation, stressful life events such as bereavement or job loss, and substance abuse.
Other risk factors, she said, include a family history of mental illness or suicide, previous suicide attempts, bullying, poverty, frustration, financial difficulties, and feelings of hopelessness at the individual level.
Kadiri also outlined common signs of depression, including persistent sadness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, feelings of worthlessness, and changes in appetite.
She noted that increased urban migration has contributed to rising psychosocial stress, which can worsen mental health challenges.
“Many people who survive suicide attempts later say they did not actually want to die. This shows that unresolved psychosocial problems often push people into such actions,” she said.
Kadiri explained that depression, unresolved grief, emotional distress, and financial or social pressures could overwhelm individuals if left unaddressed.
Also speaking, a mental health advocate, Dr. Babatunde Ojewola, said that no life challenge justified suicide.
According to him, suicide should never be seen as a solution to life’s difficulties, noting that challenges are a natural part of human existence.
Ojewola advised people to adopt positive coping strategies and seek help rather than dwell on harmful thoughts when faced with adversity.
He said suicide is largely preventable and emphasized the need for proactive measures, including government intervention and reduced access to harmful substances and other means that could be misused.
Ojewola added that early identification, proper treatment, and sustained care for people with mental health and substance use disorders were key to prevention.
He called on federal and state governments to establish platforms that allow individuals to openly discuss mental health concerns and everyday life challenges.
“Providing accessible mental health services and psychiatric care remains the most effective way to prevent suicide and support those in distress,” he said.
