Nigerian experts in psychiatry, neurosurgery, and child neurology are urging urgent reforms as suicide and traumatic brain injury devastate the nation’s youth and cripple its workforce.

During a webinar on Wednesday by the Child Neurology Society of Nigeria, experts warned that suicide and brain trauma are silent epidemics threatening Nigeria’s development and youth.

A professor at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State and Africa Lead for Lifeline International, Taiwo Lateef, said suicide is misunderstood in Nigeria, with 450,000 Nigerians needing yearly psychosocial support from related trauma.

“Life is beautiful because it is a journey full of experiences that allow us to grow, learn, and appreciate the world. But many Nigerians, especially the youth, are dying silently,” he said.

He said WHO estimates Nigeria records 15,000 suicide deaths annually at 6.9 per 100,000 people, figures experts said were under-reported due to stigma and suicide criminalisation.

“We are one of 25 countries where suicide is still a crime, a colonial relic that not only criminalises distress but also obstructs help-seeking,” Mr Lateef said.

He said suicide is the second leading cause of death among African youths, and many who attempt it would want to die but feel overwhelmed by pain, despair, and hopelessness.

“Suicide affects the individual, their families, and communities. One death can psychologically affect up to 135 others. The pain ripples outward,” he added.

He called for decriminalisation, increased mental health investment, and compassionate media reporting to address stigma and promote hope.

“The law would not stop suicidal thoughts. Compassion, early support, and policy reform will,” he said.

President of the Child Neurology Society of Nigeria, Edwin Eseigbe, said adolescence is a critical window for brain development and, therefore, a period of vulnerability and opportunity.

“Adolescents are defined globally as those between 10 and 24 years. Late adolescence is marked by ‘pruning’ and maturation of the prefrontal cortex, which governs impulse control and decision-making,” Mr Eseigbe said.

He cited research showing adolescents are biologically wired for risky behaviour and poor risk assessment and rely more on reasoning than emotional imagery when facing danger, unlike adults who respond more instinctively.

He said, “The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is activated more in adolescents, making their responses more effortful and less intuitive.’’

He stated that poor decision-making, peer pressure, and exposure to stressors, especially in the context of poor mental health services, increase vulnerability to suicide and risky behaviours.

He referenced the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (2016–2030), a WHO-led initiative to improve adolescent health globally.

He highlighted the AA-HA! Guidance, which supported countries like Nigeria in developing adolescent health policies and interventions.

“Adolescents must be central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This age group is too important to ignore,” he said.

He also called for a whole-of-society approach, engaging parents, schools, media, and policymakers to support adolescents during the critical phase.

He noted mixed evidence on how social media affected adolescent brain development.

“Some studies link video gaming in early adolescence to improved memory in adulthood, while others associate social media use with lower life satisfaction and depressive symptoms,” he said.

He said the variability was due to differences in digital media type, age group, and research methodology.

“Cross-sectional studies often show correlations but not causality. Only longitudinal studies can help us truly understand long-term effects,” he added.

According to him, the county needs to optimise adolescent brain development, not just to prevent tragedy but to build a healthier, more productive society.

A professor of Neurosurgery, Jude-Kennedy Emejulu, described Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as a neglected public health crisis, with an estimated 6,733 cases recorded across 14 neurosurgical centres in Nigeria in 2023 alone.

He stated, “TBI affects the brain, not just the head. It’s the leading cause of trauma-related death globally. It disproportionately affects young people, the most productive age group.’’

Mr Emejulu said treatment delays, out-of-pocket payment systems, and lack of emergency preparedness could lead to poor outcomes.

“Many families sell property to afford care. For severe TBI, the average cost is ₦745,000, up to ₦1.8 million in some cases. That’s 1,000 per cent above the minimum wage,” he noted.

He also referenced a pilot study showing that surgical patients often recovered faster and cost less to care for than those with severe non-operative injuries, due to prolonged stays and complications.

“TBI is economically comparable to cancer or cardiovascular disease in terms of long-term impact,” he said.

The experts made a strong joint call for the decriminalisation of suicide and the enactment of national suicide prevention legislation to reduce stigma and encourage timely help-seeking.

They also called for increased funding for adolescent mental health, including services for those with learning disabilities, to better address the growing mental health needs of Nigeria’s youth.

The experts advocated the expansion of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to cover brain imaging, neurosurgical care, and long-term rehabilitation, especially for patients with traumatic brain injuries.

They also urged the government to strengthen road safety policies and improve emergency response infrastructure to reduce the high burden of trauma-related brain injuries.

Ethical and compassionate media reporting on suicide and self-harm was emphasised as a vital step in reducing stigma and promoting hope.

They, however, stressed the importance of parent and community engagement in supporting adolescents and tackling the stigma associated with mental illness and suicide. 

(NAN)