A psychotherapist and mental health practitioner, Dr Favour Alexander, has urged the government to prioritise clinical and non-judgmental support for people experiencing suicidal thoughts rather than punishment.
Alexander made the call during an interview on ARISE News on Saturday, arguing that suicidal thoughts should be treated as a mental health concern requiring professional intervention.
Her comments come amid renewed national discussion over Nigeria’s response to suicide and the Federal Government’s recent move to decriminalise attempted suicide.
The Federal Executive Council has approved the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s position on decriminalising attempted suicide, with the proposal expected to proceed to the National Assembly for legislative consideration.
Alexander said mental health professionals must look beyond the outward behaviour of people experiencing suicidal thoughts and examine the underlying issues affecting them.
“Criminalizing people who are suffering or going through suicidal thoughts, to us professionals, we don’t think that is the best solution,” she said.
The practitioner said the focus should instead be on understanding why a person has reached a point where taking their own life appears to be an option.
She questioned whether suicide could resolve the problems that may have contributed to suicidal thoughts, stressing the need for professional intervention.
Alexander also warned against assuming that people experiencing suicidal thoughts will always display obvious signs of distress.
She said people who appear successful, well-dressed or professionally established could still be struggling with serious personal or psychological challenges.
“You don’t know what they are carrying on their heads. You don’t know what is happening there,” she said.
According to her, some people may privately be struggling with questions about whether to continue living despite appearing outwardly fine.
Alexander argued that criminalising such people would not address the circumstances contributing to their distress.
“So I don’t think it is right for the government making it into law that they have to criminalize them. Rather, these people need clinical support. They need support, non-judgmental support,” she said.
The Federal Government’s proposed reform similarly seeks to shift the response to attempted suicide from punishment towards care and support.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, recently said the Federal Executive Council’s approval would allow the proposal to proceed to the National Assembly.
He said removing criminal sanctions could reduce stigma and encourage people experiencing mental health crises to seek help.
The government has also said legal reform alone will not prevent suicide, stressing the need for stronger mental health services, early intervention, community support and public awareness.
Alexander said trained professionals should be available to support people experiencing suicidal thoughts and other mental health challenges.
She called for an empathetic approach involving professionals who understand what people in crisis are experiencing and can provide support without judgment.
“They will offer professional support. People who understand what these people are going through,” she said.
The proposed decriminalisation still requires legislative action before it becomes law, leaving the wider debate focused not only on criminal penalties but also on access to timely and effective mental healthcare for people in psychological distress.
