The Ogun State government has disclosed that its four service points in Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode, Ilaro, and Ota recorded over 10,000 mental health patient visits during the first half of 2025.
The figure was announced by the State Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, during a news conference to commemorate the 2025 World Mental Health Day.
Dr. Coker, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Kayode Oladehinde, highlighted the growing and chronic nature of mental health conditions in the state. Of the total patient visits, nearly 1,000 were new patients, with the rest being follow-up cases.
The Commissioner identified the top conditions recorded at the service points as psychosis, neurosis, epilepsy, depression, and substance use disorders.
She noted that various crises—including floods, disease outbreaks, insecurity, and conflicts—leave deep psychological scars.
The Commissioner stated that the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun is dedicated to building a state where mental health services remain accessible, affordable, and acceptable to all residents.
She emphasized that addressing the issue requires a collective effort, calling on families to create safe spaces for open conversations on mental health, employers to build supportive workplaces, religious and community leaders to use their platforms to preach compassion and access to care, and the media to report responsibly, challenge stigma, and spread hope.
