{ "story_id": "bd5e20c2da84a7c4ef763b1a4e097587", "desk": "drm3", "revision": 1, "published_at": "2026-09-05T11:00:20.000Z", "content_hash": "fbe24f5d1116def0c769f9eb970fe57e3b4d859163ad9aae3142c21bcdbc2147", "hash_basis": "sha256 over `headline\\ndek\\nprose`, plus `\\n` + the canonical citations JSON when any source is placed, plus `\\n#blog` for blogs", "basis": { "headline": "Nigeria to Decriminalize Attempted Suicide Under New 2023-2030 Framework", "dek": "Nigeria's Federal Executive Council approved amending laws to decriminalize attempted suicide as part of its national prevention strategy.", "prose": "The Federal Executive Council of Nigeria approved an amendment to decriminalize attempted suicide, marking a significant step in the nation's shift from punishment to prevention. [^1]\n\nA PREMIUM TIMES investigation concluded that rising demand for psychiatric services, driven by substance abuse and insecurity, is stretching JUTH's capacity and forcing decisions on specific admission decisions. [^2]\n\nJUTH hospital management stated that the psychiatric department operates only a 20-bed female ward and a 15-bed male ward, and when full, new patients are kept in the emergency unit to wait. [^3]\n\nThe Federal Ministry of Health of Nigeria states that only about one in five Nigerians with severe mental illness receives appropriate treatment, equivalent to a treatment gap of 80%. [^4]\n\nProfessor Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, stated that survivors of suicide attempts deserve medical attention and psychosocial support rather than arrest and prosecution. [^5]\n\nThe National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework (NSPSF) 2023-2030 commits Nigeria to a national target of reducing suicide deaths and attempts by 15% by 2030. [^6]\n\nThe National Taskforce on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide, inaugurated in October 2024 and chaired by Professor Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, developed the amendment in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. [^7]\n\nNigeria has fewer than 300 practicing psychiatrists for a population of more than 200 million, with the majority concentrated in large cities, limiting access to care. 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