Adedamola Falana, Olaoluwa Salami: How digital technology will end mental health challenges in Nigeria

One of the basic solutions to the current and viral mental issues across Nigeria is the deployment of digital technology.

Technological advancement and access to technology have revolutionised healthcare around the world. Nigeria must not be left out of this trend.

Reports suggest that over 90% of mobile phones worldwide are smartphones and over half the world’s population has access to these phones. Therefore, since the pandemic, countries have found a way to use these technological advancements to deliver healthcare to their population. How far has Nigeria gone in this direction?

Digital tech key to healthcare reforms

Nigeria which prides itself as the most populous black nation in the world no doubt contends with health challenges owing to its population. Additionally, there is no doubt that healthcare disparity exists in the country, hence it becomes imperative to utilise this technological advancement to improve well-being.

Background to mental health issues

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), One in every four Nigerians suffers one form of mental health challenge or the other. Examples of these challenges include depression, anxiety, and more severe illnesses, such as schizophrenia.

Although mental health challenges have been historically recognised in the country, there is a great shortage of adequate care and awareness.

Consequently, people with these challenges are more likely to be subjected to myths, superstitions, and discrimination.

The laws surrounding mental healthcare in the country might be one of the contributing factors to the lack of awareness. Until recently, the country’s mental health law was the Lunacy Act of 1958, which dates back to pre-colonial times. Former President Buhari signed a new law into effect, the Mental Health Act of 2021, in December 2022. The new law is a positive development that focuses on decriminalising mental health struggles, promoting the rights of people living with these challenges, improving access to care, and improving the quality of life of people living with these challenges. Despite the flaws of the Lunacy Act, the current law is a step in the right direction and the future looks promising.

What lies ahead on mental health challenges

The journey to the future of mental health in Nigeria can be accelerated by harnessing the power of technological advancement. Globally, technology has offered an opportunity to reconsider the delivery and implementation of health services, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, many countries heavily relied on technology to support their citizens, particularly in addressing the increased mental health struggles caused by the accompanying loneliness.

Mental health monitoring apps, telemedicine consultation, and teletherapy are some innovative approaches countries adopt to bridge the access to care created by the pandemic. Researchers collected data during this period to understand how the pandemic exacerbated mental health struggles. More recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has been used to monitor and predict these changes to create more favourable outcomes and be prepared for future pandemics.

Digital health: The next line of action in Nigeria

The success of this innovation can be replicated in a country like Nigeria where the use of smartphones is rapidly increasing and is predicted to be used by most of the population in 2029, as reported by Statista. Therefore, it implies that this is a crucial time to use technology to usher in the new mental health law.

Utilising technology for mental health awareness and intervention will greatly contribute to improving on access to healthcare in the country.

Experts believe that data collected from smartphone applications available in local languages can be employed to monitor and provide interventions for mental health challenges like depression and anxiety.

The apps can be implemented as a standard of care and create an opportunity for a multidisciplinary approach to solving mental health problems. With the help of artificial intelligence, the data can be analysed to understand the development of mental illness specific to the Nigerian population and identify who needs help on time. Many countries in the West have adopted this innovative approach as the standard of care and evidence so far suggest that digital health technologies are advancing well-being.

The vast amount of data collected via digital health technologies is important for creating evidence-based interventions and informing policy decisions. The use of new technologies, including social media, will also facilitate the dissemination of mental health awareness faster and create a mental health community for individuals who have lived with the condition. Identifying with others who have similar experiences can play a significant role in reducing the stigmas surrounding mental health in Nigeria. For this reason, it is crucial to utilise all aspects of the new age of digital technology to increase awareness of mental health and improve the effectiveness of the current mental health legislation.

Concluding on digital era in mental health

In summary, the immense potential of digital health technologies lies in their ability to raise awareness about mental health challenges, implement sustainable interventions, and improve the quality of life in Nigeria.

By embracing a technology-driven approach, we can generate valuable data for research and monitor the progression of symptoms and disorders in real time. By working together with stakeholders and adopting a multidisciplinary approach, the nation can establish a mental health system that is fair and inclusive, while also fostering creativity and innovation.

Providing technological support to people around the country, especially in the most remote parts with access to smartphones, will ensure that all citizens have access to the mental health resources they need to thrive.