{
  "id": 12990675,
  "title": "MENTAL HEALTH AND PUBLIC AWARENESS",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/mental-health-and-public-awareness",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-09T00:38:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/10/09/mental-health-and-public-awareness/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On October 10th every year, World Mental Health Day is observed to raise awareness and mobilize support for mental health challenges affecting millions. The theme for 2026, announced by the World Federation for Mental Health, is \"Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change.\" This emphasizes the importance of listening to people's personal experiences to drive policy change, reduce stigma, and improve care systems. Nigeria currently has only nine federal neuropsychiatric hospitals and faces serious budget constraints, leading to a lack of appropriate mental care for the estimated 60 million Nigerians suffering from mental disorders. Of these, 90% reportedly have no access to proper mental health services. While the National Mental Health Bill 2021 was signed into law by former President Buhari, prohibiting forced treatment and seclusion, more needs to be done to address stigma and promote mental health awareness, particularly among young people. Mental illness, like physical illnesses, is treatable and should not be considered shameful. It is caused by biological, life experiences, and family history factors. Experts recommend creating a statutory budget line for mental health in the annual budget, integrating mental care into primary health services, and ensuring every general hospital has a dedicated mental health department.",
  "summary": "The authorities could do more to contain the scourge The overriding objective of the World Mental Health Day being marked tomorrow is not only to raise awareness of a challenge",
  "key_points": [
    "World Mental Health Day observed annually on October 10th",
    "2026 theme: Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change",
    "Nigeria lacks 60 million people's mental health services"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Emphasizing lived experiences in mental health advocacy shifts focus from awareness to action, pushing for policy changes and reduced stigma, particularly crucial in Nigeria where 90% lack access to proper care.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}