Over 7 million Nigerians suffer from depression - WHO
The CEOWORLD magazine article, published on January 13, 2025, ranks 197 countries based on stress levels across four categories: work-related stress, money-related stress, social and family-related stress, and health and safety-related stress.
Nigeria’s Ranking: According to the 2025 CEOWORLD magazine survey, Nigeria ranks 180 out of 197 countries for stress levels. Countries reporting higher stress levels include Sierra Leone, Liberia, Somalia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, Mozambique, Eritrea, Sudan, North Korea, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Yemen, Malawi, Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Burundi, with Burundi identified as the most stressed nation. In addition, related sources, such as a Statista report from 2023, indicate Nigeria is among the most stressed nations, with around 62% of respondents reporting stress the previous day.
Reasons for Nigeria’s High Depression and Stress Rates
Based on the CEOWORLD article, related sources, and general knowledge about Nigeria’s mental health landscape, the following factors contribute to Nigeria’s high depression and stress rates:
Economic Instability and Poverty:
Nigeria faces significant economic challenges, with over 40% of the population living below the poverty line and a GDP per capita of approximately $2,000–$2,400.
High unemployment rates, especially among youth (over 50% in some regions), and rising inflation exacerbate financial stress, leading to feelings of hopelessness and depression.
The CEOWORLD article highlights money-related stress as a key factor in developing countries, directly applicable to Nigeria.
Limited Mental Health Infrastructure:
Nigeria has a severe shortage of mental health professionals, with only about 250 psychiatrists for a population exceeding 200 million.
Mental health facilities are scarce, particularly in rural areas, and funding for mental health services is minimal (less than 1% of the health budget).
This lack of access prevents timely diagnosis and treatment of depression, worsening outcomes.
Cultural Stigma and Misconceptions:
Mental health issues, including depression, are often stigmatized in Nigeria. Many attribute mental illness to spiritual or supernatural causes, discouraging individuals from seeking professional help.
The Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation addresses this stigma.
Social and Family-Related Stress:
The CEOWORLD article notes social and family-related stress as a key metric. In Nigeria, societal pressures, such as expectations to provide financially for extended families, contribute to stress and depression.
Gender-based violence, child marriage, and other social issues disproportionately affect women and youth, increasing mental health risks.
Health and Safety Concerns:
Nigeria faces security challenges, including insurgencies (e.g., Boko Haram), communal violence, and kidnapping, which create a pervasive sense of insecurity.
The CEOWORLD article links health and safety-related stress to developing countries, and Nigeria’s high crime rates and political instability amplify this.
Poor healthcare access and high disease burden (e.g., malaria, HIV/AIDS) further compound mental health challenges.
Historical and Political Instability:
Decades of political instability, corruption, and weak governance have eroded trust in institutions, contributing to collective stress and despair.
The CEOWORLD article mentions political instability as a stressor in countries like Burundi, and Nigeria shares similar challenges.
Urbanization and Lifestyle Pressures:
Rapid urbanization in cities like Lagos leads to overcrowded living conditions, long commutes, and work-life imbalance, contributing to stress.
The CEOWORLD article’s focus on work-related stress is relevant, as Nigeria’s informal economy often involves long hours with low pay.
Proposed Solutions
With an emphasis on improving holistic wellbeing, the Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation, using evidence-based mental health interventions, proposes the following solutions to address Nigeria’s high depression and stress rates. Solutions like Education, Awareness, Reducing stigma, Support, Community based Interventions, especially focusing on Youth and vulnerable populations have formed the bulk of our work and interventions since inception:
Enhance Mental Health Infrastructure:
Increase Funding: Allocate a higher percentage of the national health budget (e.g., 5–10%) to mental health services, as recommended by the WHO.
Train Professionals: Expand training programs for psychiatrists, psychologists, and community health workers to address the shortage of mental health professionals.
Decentralize Services: Establish mental health clinics in rural and underserved areas to improve access.
Reduce Stigma Through Education:
Public Awareness Campaigns: Launch nationwide campaigns, like those likely run by Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation, using media, schools, and religious institutions to educate about depression as a medical condition.
Community Engagement: Organize workshops and support groups to foster open discussions about mental health, reducing shame and encouraging help-seeking.
Address Economic Stressors:
Job and Skill Creation: Implement youth employment programs and vocational training to reduce unemployment, a key driver of financial stress highlighted in the CEOWORLD article. The Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation skill acquisition centre champions this solution through its mushroom farming training among others.
Social Safety Nets: Expand microfinance programs and cash transfer schemes to alleviate poverty and provide financial stability for vulnerable populations.
Price Stabilization: Government policies to control inflation and stabilize food prices can reduce money-related stress.
Improve Access to Mental Health Support:
Helplines and Telehealth: Scale up mental health helplines and telemedicine platforms, as offered by Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation and others, to provide remote counseling, especially in areas with no physical clinics.
Subsidized Care: Offer free or low-cost mental health services, including therapy and medications, to make treatment affordable.
Integration with Primary Care: Train primary healthcare workers to screen for and manage depression, integrating mental health into existing health systems.
Promote Community-Based Interventions:
Support Groups: Establish peer-led support groups in communities to provide safe spaces for sharing experiences and coping strategies.
Psychoeducation: Educate families and caregivers about recognizing and supporting loved ones with depression, reducing social stigma and isolation.
Address Safety and Security:
Strengthen Security: Improve policing and conflict resolution mechanisms to reduce violence and insecurity, addressing health and safety-related stress noted in the CEOWORLD article.
Trauma-Informed Care: Train mental health providers to offer trauma-focused therapies for individuals affected by violence or displacement.
Leverage Technology and Innovation:
Mobile Apps: Develop mental health apps offering self-help tools, mindfulness exercises, and connections to counselors, tailored to Nigeria’s high mobile penetration rate.
Data-Driven Advocacy: Use data, like the CEOWORLD stress rankings, to advocate for policy changes and attract international funding for mental health programs.
Policy and Advocacy:
Mental Health Legislation: The Mental Health Act 2021 which updated Nigeria’s outdated Lunacy Act of 1958 should be implemented and concerns raised addressed to protect rights and ensure care.
Partnerships: Collaborate with international organizations and local NGO’s to scale up interventions and share best practices.
Focus on Youth and Vulnerable Groups:
School-Based Programs: Introduce mental health education in schools to teach coping skills and resilience to youth, who are at high risk for stress and depression.
Gender-Sensitive Interventions: Provide targeted support for women and girls facing gender-based violence or societal pressures, addressing social and family-related stress.
Promote Work-Life Balance:
Workplace Policies: Encourage employers to adopt flexible hours or mental health days, reducing work-related stress as highlighted in the CEOWORLD article.
Stress Management Training: Offer workshops on mindfulness, time management, and stress reduction techniques in workplaces and communities. Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation offers this through our mental health academy - www.coliacademy.org
The Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation is a non-profit organization in Nigeria dedicated to:
Raising awareness about mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and other disorders.
Reducing stigma through education and community engagement.
Providing support services, such as counseling, helplines, and psychological first aid.
Advocating for improved mental health infrastructure and policies in Nigeria.
The foundation emphasizes Nigeria’s high depression rates, aligning with reports from organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), which estimate that over 7 million Nigerians suffer from depression. Since inception, the foundation’s mission involves addressing systemic barriers to mental health care and promoting accessible solutions.
If things are getting out of hand, please call us on +234 814 831 8965 or send us an Email at: info@copeandlive.foundation