World Suicide Prevention Day: Nguvu Change Leader Calls For The Decriminalisation Of Suicide Laws In Nigeria

Aisha Bubah, a psychologist and an advocate with the Nguvu Collective Change Leaders, has called for the decriminalisation of suicide in Nigeria in a campaign marking World Suicide Prevention Day.

World Suicide Prevention Day, marked each year on 10 September, is observed to raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented, and this year’s theme is Changing the Narrative on Suicide.

Bubah has raised concerns about the adverse effects of treating suicide attempts as criminal offences, noting that thousands of Nigerians struggle with mental health issues each year. Yet, instead of receiving care and support, many people are pushed into isolation by a system that views suicide attempts as crimes.

She cited that Nigeria’s suicide rate as of 2019 was 6.9 per 100,000 people, which she described as alarming, considering the country’s limited mental health resources. According to her, with a population of over 215 million, Nigeria only has around 200 psychiatrists, which is far too few to meet the growing demand for mental health care.

Rather than addressing the real problem—the lack of adequate mental health resources, persons and infrastructures—Nigeria continues to treat suicide attempts as a criminal offence, further stigmatising those in need of help. Criminalising suicide does more harm than good. Instead of acting as a deterrent, it drives individuals further into the shadows,” She said.

She further stated that criminal penalties for suicide attempts violate human rights, as everyone deserves access to healthcare, including mental health services. She added that suicide should be treated as a public health issue, not a crime.

In her words:

“Criminalising suicide augments blame and stigma and discourages people from seeking help due to the fear of legal repercussions. The stigma and fear also render support systems ineffective, as few people reach out to them to share their issues. This shame isolates individuals, limits their options and negatively impacts efforts to save lives. A critical step towards suicide prevention is to consistently call for the decriminalisation of suicide and suicide attempts,” Bubah said.

Criminalisation also leads to the underreporting of suicides and violates fundamental human rights, such as equitable access to health and social services, as well as protection from discrimination. Decriminalising suicide is essential because it encourages individuals to seek help without fear of legal consequences. Yet, it is a sad fact that in more than 20 countries, including Nigeria, suicide has not yet been decriminalised,” She further added.

Bubah, in an online petition, also called on the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) to train primary healthcare workers as lay counsellors to improve mental health support, which is a crucial step toward fostering a more compassionate and effective mental health response in Nigeria.

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