By Maryanne Awuya
A landmark report by the NGO She Writes Woman (SWW) reveals a sobering reality – nearly 55% of Nigerians seeking mental health support have reported suicidal thoughts.
The findings, unveiled on Thursday in Abuja at a media briefing, expose critical gaps in the nation’s mental health infrastructure, offering a rare, data-driven look into a crisis spanning all six geopolitical zones.
The organization was founded in 2016 by Hauwa Ojeifo, who turned her personal journey with bipolar disorder and PTSD into a leading community-based movement.
Persecondnews correspondent at the briefing reports that Ojeifo emphasized that this report—distilled from over a decade of crisis support—marks a pivotal shift from mere assumptions to an evidence-based understanding of Nigeria’s mental health landscape.
“For years, we have imported data, relied on anecdotes, and assumed what mental health in Nigeria looks like. This report changes that,” she said.
The data shows that about 20 per cent of callers experienced both suicidal thoughts and depression, while the 2020 period marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and the EndSARS protests recorded one in four callers reporting depression.
During that period, call volumes surged to over 3,000 contacts, with Lagos, Abuja and Kaduna emerging as hotspots for high-risk cases.
Ojeifo explained that unlike traditional surveys, this report captures real-time data from individuals at their most vulnerable moments.
This approach has created what She Writes Woman (SWW) describes as one of Nigeria’s most dynamic datasets on mental health first response.
The organization’s reach is extensive; over the last decade, SWW has impacted more than 40 million Nigerians through advocacy and its 24/7 toll-free helpline, which has logged over 25,000 calls nationwide.
“We have delivered more than 1,400 teletherapy sessions and trained over 300 advocates,” Ojeifo noted, highlighting the additional support provided to vulnerable women through the Safe Place program.
Beyond direct service delivery, the group continues to be a driving force in shaping national mental health policy.
Persecondnews recalls that SWWhas long been at the forefront of systemic change.
In 2020, Hauwa Ojeifo made history as the first person with a diagnosed mental health condition to testify before the National Assembly—a pivotal moment that helped secure the passage of the National Mental Health Act.
Ojeifo emphasized that the organization’s mission is built on three strategic pillars – documenting the reality of mental health in Nigeria, providing direct care, and empowering survivors to become vocal advocates.
This comprehensive 10-year impact report was unveiled at a press briefing this Thursday, serving as a preview for its official public release on April 27, 2026.
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