The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has lamented that the level of hardship in the country has driven many Nigerians into mental stress.

In a post on his verified X handle on Saturday to observe World Mental Health Day, Obi said poverty, unemployment, and the daily battle to survive have pushed many, especially the youth, into hopelessness, criminality, and an increasing rate of suicide.

He pointed to a recent report by the World Health Organisation, WHO, which estimated that about 40 million Nigerians are living with mental health conditions, with grossly inadequate doctors to attend to mental health cases.

He lamented that the report clearly shows Nigeria’s growing disinterest and neglect of the health sector, adding that mental health is more important than physical health.

“Nigerians are now feeling so overwhelmed by hardship that they are mentally affected. The government must treat this as a public health emergency. Nigeria needs more mental health professionals and massive investment in mental health infrastructure, with well-equipped psychiatric hospitals in all geopolitical zones.

“We must also address the issues of poverty, unemployment, and hunger that are contributing to this mental problem and build a nation that heals, uplifts, and gives every citizen a reason to live.

“Nigeria’s progress will never be measured by the wealth of its leaders but by human capital, which is the well-being of its people,” he wrote.