NMH Translates Suicide Prevention Bill Into Local Languages

The Nigerian Mental Health (NMH), in collaboration with the Nigeria Suicide Prevention Working Group, has translated the National Suicide Prevention Bill before the National Assembly into local languages; Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, and Pidgin.

Founder of NMH, Chime Asonye, said in a statement that the initiative is aimed at enhancing accessibility and support for mental health across communities.

He explained that the effort aligns with the theme of the 2025 Suicide Prevention Month, “Changing the Narrative,” which seeks to transform perceptions of suicide in Nigeria.

September is observed globally as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, recognising the urgent need to raise awareness, spread hope, and inspire meaningful action on suicide, one of the world’s most pressing mental health challenges.

The National Suicide Prevention Bill, currently before the National Assembly, has passed its first reading, waiting for the second reading.

According to him, “by enhancing accessibility, this initiative underscores that mental health crises are a-shared responsibility for all Nigerians, making its provisions more understandable to diverse communities and sparking a national conversations.”

The NMH Founder explained that the Bill establishes a national framework that would decriminalise attempted suicide, currently subject to a one-year prison term in Nigeria.

He said, “Bill proposed to be treating suicide as a public health issue and guaranteeing rights and aftercare for those in need.”

Asonye said that the framework also includes creating a National Suicide Prevention Unit, establishing 24-hour crisis helplines, and integrating prevention into all levels of healthcare.

“When people can read the law in the language they speak, communities are better placed to hold leaders accountable and support life-saving change.

“This is more than a translation; it is a tool for lifesaving conversations,” Asonye said.

Citing the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), Asonye said that “Nigeria records an estimated 17.3 suicides per 100,000 annually and faces a severe shortage of trained mental health professionals, with about one psychiatrist for every 800,000 people respectively.”

He noted that these were facts that underline the urgency of legal and service reforms, adding that it mandates training and capacity-building for professionals and prioritises data collection and research to guide policy.

“WHO identifies decriminalisation and expanded access to care as key elements of suicide prevention, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3) prioritise good health and well-being.

“According to the Representative, Cross River South Senatorial District, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, who introduced the legislation, translating the bill removes a major barrier to public engagement.

“So, the translations align the bill with these global best practices and aim to make the legislation accessible to ordinary citizens,” he said.

Asonye explained that with the help of the Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative (SURPIN), Asido Foundation, DepGenAfrica Nigeria, and other committed partners, the bill has been mad accessible to millions of Nigerians.

He said that the NMH and the Suicide Prevention Working Group are advocating for the bill to come up for its second reading by October 2025, in time for World Mental Health Day.

“We urge the lawmakers to consider the translations and the bill’s provisions, as these will ensure the legislation is accessible and effective.

“The translated versions of the National Suicide Prevention Bill can be accessed on Nigerian Mental Health’s #SuicideNotCrime online portal, along with other resources to support psychosocial issues.

“We encourage Nigerians to read, share, and discuss it with their families and friends,” Asonye explained.

NAN