By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Nigeria’s move to decriminalize attempted suicide could transform mental health care, ensuring people in crisis receive support rather than punishment, says advocate Amb. Gloria Tor.
Speaking to PersecondNews, the ASAEI founder backed the reform, emphasizing that removing criminal penalties will eliminate fear and empower individuals to seek help from professionals, counselors, and support networks.
“I welcome the Federal Government’s move to decriminalise attempted suicide. I believe this is an important step towards recognising suicide attempts for what they often are: an indication of severe psychological or emotional distress that requires care, intervention and support, rather than punishment,” she said.
Working closely with vulnerable youth, street-connected adolescents, and persons with disabilities, Tor emphasized that people need safe, non-judgmental spaces where they can speak openly about their struggles.
“Through ASAEI, I have worked with vulnerable and street-connected adolescents, as well as persons with disabilities, and I have seen the importance of creating safe spaces where people can speak about what they are experiencing without fear of judgement or rejection, ” Tor said.
She linked this experience to ASAEI’s Mental Health Seminar 2.0, themed “Seen, Heard & Held: Never Walk Alone,” which was created to encourage open conversations around mental health.
“The seminar was created to encourage open conversations around mental health and remind people that experiencing emotional distress does not make them weak or less valuable. It also reinforced the importance of ensuring that vulnerable people are not left to navigate difficult moments alone,” she told PersecondNews.
Tor believes removing criminal sanctions could make it easier for people experiencing suicidal thoughts to seek help without fearing that disclosing their vulnerability could expose them to punishment.
“A person experiencing suicidal thoughts should be able to reach out to a trusted person, healthcare professional, counsellor or support organisation without fearing that their vulnerability will result in criminal punishment.”
However, she cautioned that changing the law alone would not be enough to address suicide, calling for stronger mental health services, crisis intervention, trained professionals, community-based support and public education.
“Decriminalisation cannot be the end of the conversation. It must be accompanied by meaningful investment in mental health services, crisis intervention, trained professionals, community-based support and public education,” she stressed.
Tor also called for stronger systems to identify people at risk and connect them to appropriate care early, while urging attention to circumstances that can contribute to psychological distress, including abuse, social isolation, poverty, unemployment, family pressures and other difficult life experiences.
For her, the central message of the proposed reform is that surviving a suicide attempt should trigger support and treatment rather than punishment.
“For me, the most important message is simple: a person who survives a suicide attempt needs help, not punishment,” she maintained.
PerSecondNews recalls that the Federal Executive Council had approved the position of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on the decriminalisation of attempted suicide, paving the way for the Federal Government to begin the process of removing criminal penalties for suicide attempts.
Dr Iziqq Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, disclosed the development on Thursday in Abuja during the 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day commemoration.
The reform is intended to replace punishment with care, support and timely intervention for people experiencing mental health crises.
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