FEC approves amendment to decriminalise attempted suicide
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the amendment of the National Mental Health Act to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Pate said the amendment, which will be transmitted to the National Assembly for enactment, seeks to replace the criminalisation of people who attempt suicide with an approach focused on care, protection and psychological support.
According to the minister, suicide remains a major public health concern in Nigeria, with the World Health Organisation estimating that more than 7,000 Nigerians die by suicide annually, while about 300,000 suicide attempts are recorded each year.
He said the impact of suicide and attempted suicide extends beyond individuals to families, friends and communities, with more than 450,000 Nigerians estimated to require psychosocial support annually.
“Suicide is a major public health concern in Nigeria as well as several other countries,” Pate said.
“Despite the significant burden, attempted suicide remains criminalised under colonial-era laws, including Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 231 of the Penal Code, which treat individuals experiencing psychological distress as offenders rather than persons in need of care and support.”
The minister said the continued criminalisation of attempted suicide discourages people from seeking help and creates an inconsistency with the National Mental Health Act 2021, which provides for supportive care, protection and treatment for people at risk of self-harm.
