Mental health group welcomes Senate move to decriminalise attempted suicide

The Nigerian Senate has initiated a legislative move to decriminalise attempted suicide, a development that has received formal support from the Nigerian Mental Health (NMH) group and the National Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group (NSPAWG). The proposed policy shift seeks to remove legal penalties currently associated with self-harm attempts.

Advocacy groups argue that the existing criminalisation of attempted suicide acts as a significant barrier to public health. By removing these legal repercussions, proponents aim to encourage individuals experiencing suicidal distress and their families to seek timely medical and psychological support without the fear of prosecution.