Psychiatric Institutions and the Emerging Institutional Scene in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Western - style orthodox psychiatric services are found in Nigeria. Yet a lot of people prefer non-orthodox services particularly the pentecostal churches and traditional healers. Aim: This study is a review of the literature pertaining to inadequate impact of orthodox psychiatric institutions and services in Nigeria. It was aimed at profiling factors impeding growth and use of orthodox psychiatric institutions, and to report the emerging institutions providing psychiatric services in Nigeria. Method: The method employed was the ex-post facto research which enabled content analysis technique through a critical review of documents and materials related to Nigerian orthodox psychiatric institutions and services. Results: The findings showed that cultural conditions (traditional beliefs and myths, lifestyle, perception discrimination, stigma) and systemic factors (lack of funding, dearth of orthodox mental health practitioners, law and policies) are militating against robust orthodox psychiatric institutions and services. It was also found that unorthodox psychiatric institutions and services are built and rendered everywhere in emerging religious pentecostal organisations and government approved but privately owned traditional psychiatric homes. Conclusion: It was therefore recommended, among others, that government should pass into law, the mental health bill, taking into cognisance the potency and acceptability of these emerging institutional scenes.

Key Words: Nigeria, Orthodox psychiatric services, systemic neglect, emergent psychiatric institutions.