See Why Over 800,000 People Commit Suicide Yearly

A professor of psychiatry, Joseph Adeyemi, has called for a review of Mental Health Act to accommodate developments that have been made over the years, noting that no fewer than 800,000 persons commit suicide yearly as a result of depression.

Adeyemi said the act was last reviewed about 56 years ago and had become obsolete in addressing cases of depression, which he described as complex.

The don spoke on Wednesday in Lagos during the launch of a book titled, ‘Shadows in the mirror: the many faces of depression,’ written by Dr. Vivian Ikem. He praised the author for coming up with the “spectacular” book.

He said, “The Mental Health Act, enacted in the 1900s, was last reviewed in 1959 despite medical improvements made over the years. Our laws should keep up with current situations, but we have remained static as we were in 1959.

Speaking on the topic, ‘Is depression a problem in Nigeria?,’ a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Charles Umeh, said depression could be caused by genetic factors, hormonal changes, certain medical illnesses, stress, grief, substance abuse, among others.

The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by the General Manager, Lagos Television, Deji Balogun, said mental illnesses had not received appreciable attention.

Ambode condemned people’s indifference to the plight of victims of depression, adding that the challenge had attendant costs on the economy. He said the book would re-awaken government’s attention in addressing the effects of the illness.

He said, “A depressed person cannot be a product. Rather the victim constitutes a drain on the resources of the community when help, especially professional help, is not forthcoming. This publication by Dr Vivian Ikem is a timely wake-up call to government and everybody in the society that a smile, a word of encouragement and understanding would go a long way in curtailing the destructive effect of depression in our society,”

A National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu described the author as a woman of “excellent intellect” and “unmatchable lucidity.”

Represented by Mr. Sunday Dare, Tinubu said depression was a global problem, with 400 million people suffering from it. He said 12 per cent (about 48 million) of the victims are Nigerians.

The author said she was once a victim of depression, adding that she delved into the book to assist people suffering from it.

- Punch