11 Million Nigerian Adolescents Face Mental Health Crisis

Experts at a national roundtable in Abuja warned that an estimated 11 million adolescents in Nigeria are currently living with mental health disorders. Rosemary Ochiwu, founder and executive director of Initi Self-Esteem Education Advocacy, highlighted that this figure represents not just statistics but the potential of young people whose futures depend on today's decisions.

She noted that half of all mental health disorders begin by age 14, stressing the importance of early intervention and access to mental healthcare services. Ayodel Olawand, the Minister of Youth Development, proposed the development of policies in collaboration with the Federal Ministries of Health, Social Welfare, and other stakeholders to provide practical solutions.

The roundtable called for stronger collaboration among various ministries and civil society organizations to tackle these challenges and ensure that mental health policies are prioritized in national budgeting, ultimately aiming to save lives and improve mental health outcomes for Nigerian youth.