BARRIERS TO UTILIZATION OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Mental health is an integral component of health which includes different aspects of activities that are directly and indirectly related to promotion of wellbeing, prevention of mental disorders, and treatment as well as rehabilitation of people with mental illnesses. Despite the recent worldwide focus on mental health, the burden of mental disorders is still on the increase. It is estimated that about three quarters of those with mental disorders, mainly in low income countries, have no access to treatment due to poor /lack of standard health service delivery and/or how services are delivered. In this study, the amount of funding, distribution and allocation of mental health services, poor health education, the long duration of treatment, and fear of stigma among others were identified as barriers to the utilization of mental health services in Nigeria. It is recommended that mental health issue be encompassed in primary health care to ensure quality and a better service delivery.