The Federal Government has moved to decriminalise attempted suicide, saying people facing mental health crises need care and support, not punishment.
The Federal Government has taken steps towards removing criminal sanctions for attempted suicide in Nigeria, with the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approving a proposal aimed at changing the country’s approach to people who survive suicide attempts.
The development was disclosed by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, during activities held in Abuja to commemorate World Suicide Prevention Day.
The proposed reform is expected to place greater emphasis on mental healthcare, early intervention and psychological support rather than punishment for individuals who attempt to take their own lives.
According to Salako, the Federal Executive Council approved the position presented by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s response to mental health challenges.
The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom S., explained that the legislative framework arising from the policy decision has been transmitted to the National Assembly.
The document will now undergo the necessary legislative consideration and statutory processes before any amendment can become law.
The development marks a potential shift in the way attempted suicide is handled within Nigeria’s legal and public health systems.
Salako argued that people who attempt suicide are often experiencing serious psychological or emotional distress and should not be subjected to additional pressure through the threat of criminal prosecution.
He stressed that the priority should be to ensure that such individuals receive appropriate medical attention, psychological care and other forms of support capable of addressing the circumstances that led to the crisis.
“A person experiencing a mental health crisis should be met with care, support and appropriate intervention, rather than punishment,” Salako said.
He noted that the fear of criminal consequences could discourage people experiencing suicidal thoughts or other forms of mental health distress from seeking help.
According to the minister, removing the possibility of criminal sanctions could make it easier for affected individuals to speak about their experiences and seek professional assistance without fear of being prosecuted.
He further linked the proposed change to the broader challenge of stigma surrounding suicide and mental health conditions in Nigerian society.
Many people experiencing psychological difficulties may hesitate to disclose what they are going through because of fear of discrimination, judgement or social consequences.
For the Federal Government, decriminalisation is therefore being viewed as one way of creating a more supportive environment in which people can access help at critical moments.
Salako said the policy should not, however, be seen as a standalone solution to Nigeria’s suicide and mental health challenges.
He maintained that legislative reform must be accompanied by sustained investment in the country’s mental healthcare system.
This, he said, includes improving access to quality mental health services, strengthening early identification and intervention mechanisms, and ensuring that people experiencing psychological difficulties can obtain appropriate care.
“We must continue to strengthen mental health services, expand access to quality care, promote early identification and intervention, support persons with lived experience, empower communities and foster open conversations that replace fear and discrimination with empathy and hope,” he added.
The minister also highlighted the importance of involving communities in suicide prevention efforts.
According to him, mental health support should not be limited to hospitals and other formal healthcare institutions. Communities also have an important role to play in recognising warning signs, encouraging vulnerable people to seek help and creating environments where conversations about mental health can take place without shame.
The emphasis on early intervention is particularly significant because mental health crises can escalate rapidly when individuals do not have access to timely support.
By encouraging people to seek assistance before a crisis becomes more severe, health authorities hope to improve opportunities for intervention and treatment.
The proposed decriminalisation also reflects a wider effort to approach mental health from a public health perspective rather than relying primarily on punitive measures.
Under the proposed framework, the focus would be on connecting people who survive suicide attempts with appropriate support and addressing the underlying psychological, social or emotional factors contributing to their distress.
However, the proposal still has to pass through the National Assembly before it can translate into a change in the country’s statutory framework.
The transmission of the legislative framework to lawmakers therefore represents the next major stage in the Federal Government’s initiative.
Lawmakers are expected to examine the proposal through the required legislative procedures before determining whether and how the relevant provisions should be amended.
If ultimately enacted, the reform would represent a major change in Nigeria’s treatment of attempted suicide and could strengthen the health-focused response to people experiencing suicidal crises.
The Federal Government’s position also reinforces the need for greater public awareness, stronger mental health services and sustained efforts to reduce the stigma associated with seeking psychological support.
For the health ministry, changing the legal framework is only one part of a broader strategy.
Continued investment in healthcare infrastructure, professional services, community awareness and early intervention will remain essential to ensuring that people facing mental health crises can receive help when they need it most.
The initiative, according to the minister, is ultimately aimed at creating a system where people in distress are encouraged to seek assistance and are met with empathy, appropriate treatment and support rather than fear of punishment.
About The Author
