FG to decriminalise attempted suicide, approves Mental Health Act
The Federal Government approves the Mental Health Act amendment to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria, shifting focus to care and support for those Read More: https://punchng.com/fg-to-decriminalise-attempted-suicide-approves-mental-health-act/
The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved an amendment to the National Mental Health Act to decriminalise attempted suicide in the country. This reform, announced by Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, aims to reduce suicide deaths and attempts by 15 per cent by 2030. Currently, suicide is treated as a criminal offence under colonial-era legislation, which discourages help-seeking behaviour and conflicts with the National Mental Health Act 2021.
The amendment reflects a shift in how the state treats individuals who attempt suicide due to mental illness, shifting the focus from punishment to care and support.
Brief written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
