President Buhari signs Mental Health Bill into Law

After failed attempts of signing the mental health law into the bill in 2003 and 2013, President Muhammadu Buhari has finally signed the mental health bill into law.

The signing is the 1st Mental Health Act/Law post-independence and will also replace the Lunacy Act of 1958.

The president of the Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria, APN, Prof Taiwo Obindo confirmed the signing to Vanguard describing the new development as a great relief.

“This is a victory for mental health care and practices in this nation,” he said.

According to psychiatrists, the law will help replace the Lunacy Act of 1958, which practitioners condemn as outdated and inhumane.

The newly signed mental health bill create a Department of Mental Health services in the Federal Ministry of Health and a Mental Health Fund.

Also, it will help to establish human rights protections for those with mental health conditions, such as banning discrimination in housing, employment, medical, and other social services.

In addition, The Mental Health Law will improve cards by guaranteeing those who receive treatment have the right to participate in formulating their medical plans and eliminating forced treatment, seclusion, and other methods of restraint in facilities, additionally, expanding community-based coverage

Among other benefits, it will help in addressing the issue of funding for mental health care in Nigeria.

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Recall that in 2019, the mental health legislation advanced, with the Senate passing it for second reading and holding public hearings in 2020.
Then on the 28th of November, 2022, the National Assembly passed the National Mental Health Bill and forwarded it to President Buhari for consideration and assent.