Experts working in the field of mental health have sought passage of the Mental Health Bill.
They made the ccallon Thursday in Abuja during this year’s Intersect Consortium’s The conversation conference, themed ‘My Mental Health My Priority’ with a focus on mental health in the workplace.
They said passing the bill would address the gaps in mental health service delivery in the country.
Chief Executive Officer, Intersect Consortium, Dr Vincent Udenze, said the legal framework currently used for provision of mental health services in the country was over 60 years old.
He stressed the need to support those with mental health challenges in workplaces instead of stigmatising them.
Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, said since 2015, about 14.3 per cent of deaths globally was attributed to deteriorating mental health disorders.
He emphasized the need to mitigate drug use disorders.
The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso, said mental health is paramount to the nation.
“Families must be positively effectively in training their children as they are the first agent of socialization”, he said.
