Nigeria's Severe Shortage of Psychiatrists Hinders Mental Health Response to Emergencies

Dr. Shina Fakunle, a psychiatrist in Nigeria, highlighted the critical shortage of psychiatrists in the country, with fewer than 300 professionals to address the mental, emotional, and psychological effects of ongoing crises such as floods, armed conflicts, and disease outbreaks.

The World Mental Health Day event in 2025 emphasized the theme of improving access to mental health services during catastrophes and emergencies. Despite the urgent need for mental health services, Nigeria, particularly Oyo State, faces challenges of stigma, lack of trained professionals, poor funding, and limited integration of mental health services into primary care and emergency response systems.