Silent Struggle: Nigerian Women and Mental Health

Mental Health Crisis

In a deeply revealing address during the commissioning of Nigeria’s first women-only mental health and drug rehabilitation centre in Abuja, leading psychiatrist Dr. Motunrayo Oyelohunnu sounded an urgent alarm over the escalating mental health crisis among Nigerian women. Her words drew attention to an often-silenced epidemic one that is quietly claiming the emotional, psychological, and physical wellbeing of millions.

Dr. Oyelohunnu, a Consultant Psychiatrist, attributed the rise in mental health disorders among women to a complex interplay of biological, social, and economic factors, describing the current state as “alarming.”

“Nature already puts women at a biological disadvantage when it comes to mental health,” she stated, citing fluctuations in hormones especially oestrogen and progesterone linked to menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. These changes, she explained, directly impact mood regulation, making women particularly vulnerable during critical phases of their reproductive life.

Beyond biology, the psychiatrist identified other compounding challenges: gender-based violence, economic stress, societal expectations, and trauma—all of which collectively create a pressure cooker of mental strain.

“Many Nigerian women experience emotional trauma from intimate partner violence, sexual abuse, and even conflict-related incidents,” she said. “When left unaddressed, these wounds deepen into long-term psychological disorders.”

A recent study referenced by Oyelohunnu revealed that one in five Nigerian women is living with a mental health condition, a statistic that may be underestimated due to widespread stigma and underreporting.

A System That Fails Women

Chairperson of the Intersect Consortium, Ammuna Ali, criticized Nigeria’s existing mental health framework for its neglect of gender-specific care.

“For decades, Nigerian women have been carrying invisible emotional burdens without proper systems in place to support them,” she said. “There is a dangerous culture of silence and shame that prevents them from speaking out or seeking professional help.”

Her words point to a systemic failure: an under-resourced mental healthcare system, a cultural bias that prioritizes resilience over healing, and deeply embedded stigma surrounding mental illness.

But there’s hope.

The newly launched centre, operated by Olive Prime, promises a radically different model. According to Dr. Vincent Udenze, Managing Director of Olive Prime, the centre offers trauma-informed psychiatric care, counselling, detoxification, and rehabilitation, all within a safe and non-judgmental environment.

“This centre sends a powerful message to every Nigerian woman battling depression, addiction, or anxiety: You are not alone. Help is here. Recovery is possible,” Udenze said.

Substance Abuse: A Growing Trend Among Women

Further highlighting the urgency of the crisis, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) disclosed troubling new data. Representing the agency’s Director-General, Muhammed Ibrahim confirmed that substance abuse is rising among Nigerian women, and is often linked to untreated psychological trauma.

“There’s an urgent need for a national response,” he warned. “Stigma and cultural barriers are preventing women from accessing the care they desperately need.”

Breaking the Silence

Mental health advocacy for women in Nigeria has long been hampered by cultural taboos and systemic neglect. However, the new women-focused rehabilitation centre stands as a symbol of hope and progress.

Its establishment is not just a medical milestone—it is a powerful statement against silence, against stigma, and against the invisible chains binding women to lifetimes of unspoken suffering.

This is more than just a facility—it’s a lifeline, a place where healing can begin, and where women can reclaim their mental and emotional health with dignity.

Thought-Provoking Conclusion

If one in five Nigerian women is silently battling mental illness, how many more are enduring in silence? How long can a society truly thrive if its mothers, daughters, and sisters are emotionally drowning? The time to listen, invest, and care is now. Will we?