Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong renews his commitment to the Suicide Prevention Bill, aiming to decriminalise attempts and strengthen mental health support in Nigeria.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South Senatorial District, has reiterated his strong commitment to the advancement of the Suicide Prevention Bill presently before the Nigerian Senate.
The bill, which scaled its first reading in February 2025, seeks to decriminalise attempted suicide and establish a holistic framework for suicide prevention, mental health services, and support systems across the country.
The lawmaker made this pledge during a courtesy visit by members of the Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group in Abuja.
The coalition—which comprises psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health practitioners, legal experts, civil society organisations, and advocates—visited the senator to commend his sponsorship of the bill and to brief him on their planned activities ahead of the upcoming World Suicide Prevention Day scheduled for September 10.
In a statement jointly released after the visit and signed by Prof. Taiwo Sheikh, convener of the advocacy group and Continental Representative for LifeLine International, it was stressed that Nigeria urgently requires legislative reforms to address the rising cases of suicide, particularly among young people.
Sheikh, a former President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, emphasised that the existing law which criminalises attempted suicide has become a major obstacle to effective mental health intervention.
“When you criminalise attempted suicide, you place an additional burden on people who are already struggling with vulnerability and despair,” Sheikh explained.
Citing World Health Organisation (WHO) data, he noted that about 727,000 people die from suicide globally every year, with millions more attempting it.
In Nigeria alone, he revealed, at least 16,000 suicide-related deaths are recorded annually—though the real figure is likely higher due to underreporting. “Most of the victims fall within the age range of 15 to 29 years, which makes this an urgent national crisis,” he added.
Sheikh further highlighted that the proposed legislation aims not only to repeal punitive provisions against attempted suicide but also to establish structured mechanisms for prevention and response.
This would include service delivery, sustainable funding, training for professionals, dedicated helplines, and comprehensive data collection systems to better track cases nationwide.
Responding, Senator Ekpenyong commended the coalition for their unwavering advocacy and acknowledged the often overlooked scale of mental health challenges in Nigeria.
According to him, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions continue to affect millions of Nigerians but remain poorly understood and inadequately prioritised.
“Suicide prevention is a matter of national urgency. It requires government involvement, sustained education, public awareness campaigns, and a reliable support framework,” the senator declared.
He assured the group that he would champion the bill’s progress when it comes up for second reading, pledging to ensure robust debate supported by reliable data and global best practices.
Other coalition members present at the meeting echoed similar concerns, stressing the economic and social consequences of untreated mental health issues.
They pointed out that for every suicide recorded, at least 20 more attempts are made, highlighting the urgent need for preventive policies backed by law.