Mental health Bill: Nigerian group commends President Buhari

 Nigerian Mental Health,  a group of mental health practitioners, with over ten mental health organizations as members, actively leading efforts to improve psychosocial well-being has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the National Mental Health Bill 2021, into law.

Read Also: President Buhari signs Mental health bill into law

The president Chime Asonye while commending the president, called on the incoming administrations, in Abuja on Sunday to prioritize and implement the National mental Health Bill 2021, to boost the country’s healthcare system.

According to him, the bill is the first legislative reform adopted in the field since independence and a major milestone to improve support for psychosocial well-being.

“The mental health community came together to speak with one voice in support of the Bill.

“We now need Executive implementation, State Governments to domesticate this legislation, and those contesting for elected offices to make mental health a national priority,” he said.

The group also called on the government to enact other critical reforms for those with mental health conditions, such as decriminalizing attempted suicide, which is currently a felony subject to a year in prison.

They also urged the National Assembly to ensure gazetted copies of the Bill are available to citizens, so they know their new legal rights noting that the regulation, assented to on January 5, established human rights protections for those with mental health conditions, such as banning discrimination in housing, employment, medical and other social services.

”It also guarantees that those receiving treatments have the right to participate in formulating their medical plans and cannot have forced treatment, seclusion, or other methods of restraint.

“And other common practices in mental health facilities without appropriate safeguards,” he said.

According to him, other provisions of the Bill include establishing a new Mental Health Fund, a Mental Health Department in the Federal Ministry of Health, and a Mental Health Assessment Committee to protect stakeholders.

Asonye further explained that the Bill also expanded community-based coverage and improve the care and management of those with mental health conditions. 

Healthwise