Niger State Government has recognized the integration of mental healthcare into primary health centres as a precedence, amid issues that current health facility information don’t totally seize the size of psychological misery throughout the state.
The state authorities additionally recognized insecurity, displacement, household difficulties and substance-related issues as components contributing to mental health challenges in communities.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Murtala Muhammad Bagana, disclosed this by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Abdullahi Imam, throughout a briefing to mark the 2026 World Mental Health Day.
Bagana noticed that integrating mental healthcare into primary healthcare providers would convey primary assessments, counselling and referral providers nearer to residents, notably these with restricted entry to specialist amenities.
He stated, “Integrating mental healthcare into primary healthcare services will bring basic assessment, counselling and referral services closer to our people, especially those who have limited access to specialist facilities.”
The commissioner acknowledged that the state wanted extra dependable knowledge to find out the extent of mental health challenges, noting that current facility information and programme targets didn’t present a whole image.
According to him, “We want extra dependable knowledge to grasp the size of mental health challenges in Niger State. Existing facility information and programme targets don’t give us the entire image.”
He stated mental health providers had been documented on the State Social Rehabilitation Centre and the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, whereas the federal government was working to strengthen routine reporting and community-level assessments.
Bagana recognized insecurity, displacement, household difficulties and substance-related issues as components contributing to psychological misery, warning that the consequences may lengthen to households, colleges, workplaces and communities.
He additionally burdened that increasing entry to care would require satisfactory funding, educated personnel, important medicines the place clinically indicated and purposeful referral programs.
“We must invest in trained mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers and counsellors, if we are to improve access to appropriate care,” he stated.
The commissioner urged residents to reject stigmatisation and discrimination towards individuals experiencing mental health circumstances, calling for higher compassion and assist for these searching for skilled assist.
He stated the 2026 World Mental Health Day theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” highlighted the necessity to make sure that the experiences of individuals residing with mental health circumstances knowledgeable insurance policies and programmes affecting their well-being.
Bagana referred to as for stronger collaboration amongst colleges, conventional and spiritual leaders, civil society organisations, growth companions and households to enhance consciousness and entry to mental healthcare.
He defined that the state’s dedication was aligned with the National Mental Health Act, the National Mental Health Policy 2023 and the National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework 2023–2030.
The commissioner then urged stakeholders to assist sustained public schooling and collective motion to make sure that individuals residing with mental health circumstances obtained well timed, dignified and acceptable care.
