A psychological well being advocacy workforce, Nigerian Mental Health (NMH), has welcomed the Senate’s passage of the Suicide Prevention Invoice, 2024 (SB 730), searching for to decriminalise tried suicide in Nigeria.
The invoice, backed via the senator representing Pass River South Senatorial District, Asuquo Ekpenyong, handed 2nd studying on 13 October 2026 and was once referred to the Senate Committees on Well being (Secondary and Tertiary) and Judiciary, Human Rights and Felony Issues for additional attention.
NMH and the Nigeria Suicide Prevention Advocacy Running Team (NSPAWG) made their place recognized in a joint observation shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Friday, calling for inclusive public hearings because the invoice progresses.
The organisations recommended the Senate committees to permit psychological well being execs, civil society organisations, healthcare execs and other folks with lived revel in to give a contribution to the legislative procedure.
Why the invoice issues
Underneath Phase 327 of the Felony Code and Phase 231 of the Penal Code, tried suicide stays a felony offence, with survivors uncovered to the chance of prosecution and imprisonment.
NMH and NSPAWG stated criminalisation can discourage other folks experiencing suicidal misery and their households from searching for well timed improve.
“An individual who survives a suicide strive must be capable to get right of entry to care with out concern of felony punishment,” the organisations stated.
The teams cited International Well being Organisation (WHO) estimates that Nigeria data greater than 15,000 deaths via suicide and kind of 300,000 suicide makes an attempt once a year.
The invoice’s sponsor, Mr Ekpenyong, stated throughout deliberations, that tried suicide must be handled as a mental health emergency requiring scientific intervention moderately than felony punishment.
What the invoice proposes
The proposed law seeks to ascertain a coordinated nationwide framework for suicide prevention, going past the removing of felony consequences for tried suicide.
It proposes scientific review, referral, remedy and follow-up improve for individuals who live on suicide makes an attempt, in addition to crisis-response products and services.
The invoice additionally supplies for coaching of related execs and primary responders, public schooling and more potent nationwide information assortment.
NMH and NSPAWG stated efficient implementation will require transparent obligations, sustainable investment and duty.
The organisations stated the invoice’s development builds on advocacy efforts following the passage of the Nationwide Psychological Well being Act, 2021.
NMH stated it introduced the #SuicideNotCrimeNG marketing campaign, bringing in combination greater than 40 psychological well being organisations, skilled associations and civil society companions calling for an finish to the criminalisation of tried suicide.
Akpabio’s place
The Senate’s attention of the invoice additionally featured opposition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio to disposing of imprisonment as a punishment for tried suicide.
All through the talk, Mr Akpabio argued that disposing of the penalty may inspire suicide makes an attempt.
“For those who strive suicide, you should definitely die. Any individual who makes an attempt and fails will move to prison,” he stated.
He often known as for good enough enter from state Homes of Meeting throughout the general public listening to to steer clear of conflicts between the proposed law and current regulations.
Name for public hearings.
NMH and NSPAWG recommended the 2 Senate committees dealing with the invoice to make certain that the following degree of attention is knowledgeable via proof, the reports of affected other folks and the sensible realities of turning in psychological well being products and services throughout Nigeria.
“The Senate has moved the method ahead; now it’s our flip. This subsequent degree, which opens the door to public hearings, is a significant alternative for other folks with lived revel in, psychological well being execs, and civil society to have interaction and assist form a framework that protects lives and upholds human dignity,” stated Chime Asonye, founding father of NMH.
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The organisations recommended Nigerians, well being advocates and neighborhood leaders to take part via filing memoranda and supporting the nationwide petition for decriminalisation.
In addition they renewed their name at the Federal Ministry of Well being and Social Welfare to “operationalise and adequately fund the Division of Psychological Well being Products and services established underneath the Nationwide Psychological Well being Act, 2021.”
“The invoice’s passage via 2nd studying is development, however the legislative procedure isn’t over. Nigeria wishes a felony and service-delivery framework that prioritises prevention, remedy, restoration and the honour of other folks experiencing suicidal misery,” NMH famous.
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