An Innovative Research Method Reveals Unmet Needs and Untapped Opportunities in

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The traditionally Western-centric focus of wellness and mental health research has continued during the pandemic. For example, relatively large data sets linking changes in mental health to coronavirus response measures in the U.K. and U.S. have sparked discussion, yet very little is known about the same issues as seen in an African context. This has made decision-making more arduous for mental health-focused businesses looking to enter markets in Africa and other regions across the Global South, because up until now, they have lacked contextual data on the current issues at play in these countries. This presents obstacles for social enterprises and investors in the health sector looking to provide and scale solutions – not only to current mental health challenges, but to the endemic italy whatsapp number data problems facing the public health infrastructure across the continent, and in individual African countries.

Understanding the mental health trends at play is particularly salient in Nigeria, given that the country has the largest population in Africa (approximately 206 million people), and a reported one in four Nigerians suffer from some sort of mental illness. Studies have shown that approximately 80% of Nigerians with serious mental health needs are unable to access care. These figures are due in part to the lack of budget allocated to health care and mental health issues in the country. In 2006, just 3.3% of the central government’s health budget was directed to mental health, according to the last publicly available report on the mental health system in Nigeria issued by the WHO. More recently, the published 2021 budget allocated a portion of funds to mental health services, including the building of facilities and programme development. However, the President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria has criticised this funding as inadequate, since the country faces a treatment gap, defined as the number of serious cases receiving no treatment over the last 12 months, of up to 85% – far higher than the gap in more developed countries.

In addition to the lack of funding, cultural norms and religious beliefs have been cited as contributors to the stigma associated with psychological illnesses. The need for solutions to the country’s mental health challenges – including emerging issues related to climate change and COVID-related anxiety – has never been more urgent.