Nigeria Faces Surge in Adolescent Suicides as 302,000 Deaths Reported Annually

Recent research by Oyetunji et al., published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, has highlighted a concerning increase in suicide rates across Nigeria, particularly among adolescents and young adults. The study reveals that approximately 500,000 adolescents attempt suicide annually, resulting in an estimated 302,000 deaths.

The researchers observed a troubling trend of Nigerian youth employing highly lethal methods such as hanging, self-poisoning, and gunshot wounds. Notably, males accounted for 77.4% of the reported suicide cases, with 78.9% of suicidal behaviors resulting in completed suicides.

Their study also identified certain professions with disproportionately high suicide rates, including psychology, nursing, engineering, priesthood, and trading, underscoring the need for targeted mental health interventions in high-pressure careers.

Among the contributing factors, Oyetunji et al. highlighted the impact of economic hardships, worsened by the global COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers linked increasing financial instability and unemployment to the growing number of suicides, particularly among young people aged 18 to 29.

Beyond economic stressors, the study pointed to social isolation and inadequate mental health services as exacerbating the crisis. The authors emphasized that many adolescents experiencing suicidal thoughts lack access to professional support, leaving them vulnerable to self-harm.

In light of these findings, the researchers call for urgent action, recommending the establishment of more mental health support centers across Nigeria. They also emphasize the need for training law enforcement officers to recognize and respond to suicidal behavior, as well as implementing widespread public awareness campaigns to combat the stigma surrounding mental health.

“The alarming rise in adolescent suicides underscores an urgent need for national interventions,” Oyetunji et al. conclude in their study. “Comprehensive strategies must address economic hardship, mental health issues, and social isolation to mitigate this growing crisis.”

With thousands of young lives at risk each year, the authors stress the importance of prioritizing mental health in national policies and expanding resources for prevention and support services across Nigeria.