Psychiatrists seek home-grown research to tackle Africa’s mental health crisis

… Say Nigeria’s Mental Health Act needs action, not just legislation
By Chioma Obinna

Nigeria and other African countries must invest in home-grown mental health research and translate policies into action to improve care for millions of people facing mental health challenges, psychiatrists have said.

The experts warned that Africa’s low contribution to global mental health research was limiting the continent’s capacity to develop evidence-based responses suited to its population, while weak implementation of policies threatened to widen the gap between legislation and access to care.

They spoke at the ninth International Research Conference of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, themed, “Mental Health Research at the Crossroads: Challenges, Policies and Reforms in Africa.”

Professor Taiwo Lateef Sheikh, a professor of psychiatry at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said Africa accounted for less than two per cent of global mental health research output, a situation he said underscored the urgent need to strengthen local research capacity.

Sheikh called for increased investment in African-led studies, arguing that research priorities should reflect the realities of local communities and provide evidence for policies and interventions.

He also drew attention to the implementation gap surrounding Nigeria’s Mental Health Act, stressing that the existence of a law was not enough without concrete action, institutional commitment and adequate resources.

For Nigeria, the challenge is not only to develop mental health policies but also to ensure that research informs decisions, services reach people who need them and reforms translate into practical improvements in care.
The Medical Director of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr Olugbenga Owoeye, said research was essential to improving clinical practice and strengthening the delivery of mental health services.
He stressed the need to bridge the gap between research findings and their application, noting that studies should provide useful evidence for decision-making and improvements in patient care.
The conference chairperson, Professor Mashudat Bello-Mojeed, also emphasised the need to strengthen mental health research and ensure that evidence played a greater role in shaping policies and reforms across Africa.
She highlighted the importance of addressing the challenges confronting research development and building systems capable of supporting meaningful progress in mental healthcare.
Another speaker, Dr Tolu Ajomale highlighted the role of legal and policy frameworks in addressing mental health challenges, pointing to the need for stronger links between legislation, institutional action and access to care.
The discussions brought into focus the relationship between research, legislation and service delivery, with the experts calling for greater collaboration among governments, researchers and healthcare institutions.
They said locally generated evidence could help identify the needs of African populations, guide the design of appropriate interventions and strengthen the continent’s response to mental health challenges.
The conference called attention to the need for sustained investment in research and reforms that go beyond policy statements to deliver practical results.
The experts insisted that mental health research must become a stronger foundation for policymaking, while existing laws and commitments must be translated into action that improves access to care.