By Akinnodi Francis, Ondo

The Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON) has said that integrating mental health services into primary care is crucial to improving the mental health outcomes of patients.

President of SOFPON, Dr Blessing Chukwukelu, stated this on a national television programme while speaking on the commemoration of World Family Doctor Day.

According to her, the World Family Doctor Day, celebrated globally on May 19, aims to highlight the vital role family doctors play in mental wellness, emphasising the interdependence between doctors’ well-being and their ability to care for patients.

The theme of the 2025 celebration is “Building Mental Resilience in a Changing World.”

She noted that primary care, with its emphasis on long-term relationships, continuity of care, and a person-centred approach, is uniquely positioned to promote mental wellness.

Chukwukelu stressed that integrating mental health into primary care aligns with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for low and middle-income countries like Nigeria, as a foundation for improving mental health outcomes.

According to her, this approach to care enables early diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions before they escalate into crises.

“The burden of mental illness in Nigeria is substantial—a fact that is often obscured by the pervasive stigma that surrounds mental health issues.

“This stigma, this reluctance to acknowledge and address mental health challenges, prevents countless individuals from seeking the help they need.

“It leads to delays in diagnosis, hinders access to treatment, and perpetuates a cycle of suffering that can have devastating consequences,” she said.

Chukwukelu highlighted that the shortage of psychiatrists—currently at a ratio of one psychiatrist to 700,000 patients—was a major impediment to accessing specialised care, especially in rural and underserved areas.

The SOFPON president noted that routine screening for mental health conditions in primary care settings remains unmet due to the absence of standardised screening tools that are culturally appropriate for the Nigerian context.

She lamented that the situation is further complicated by the lack of adequate training in mental healthcare for primary care staff.

She added that through targeted training in mental health, family physicians acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to manage common mental disorders effectively.

According to her, SOFPON is championing a shift from the unattainable idea of perfect mental health to a more realistic goal of building resilience, adaptability, and balance in an ever-changing world.

While acknowledging the challenges in mental healthcare, Chukwukelu maintained that they are surmountable through cross-sector collaboration and by harnessing the power of collective expertise.