Thriving Amidst the Hustle: Reimagining Mental Health in Lagos
- Omorogieva Sylvester Ihonwa
- Apr 23
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 24
Lagos — Nigeria’s economic and cultural epicentre — is a city that thrives on ambition, creativity, and relentless drive. Its vibrant energy fuels dreams and opportunities, yet beneath this dynamism lies a quieter struggle—one that is often overlooked. Mental health challenges in Lagos are as complex as the city itself, shaped by environmental stressors, cultural stigmas, and systemic gaps in healthcare.
As someone who has lived and worked in this bustling metropolis, I’ve witnessed first-hand how the unrelenting hustle can take a toll on emotional well-being. However, I’ve also seen the potential for change—through self-awareness, community support, and innovative solutions. This article explores Lagos-specific mental health challenges while offering a fresh perspective on how we can collectively create a more supportive society.
The Unseen Burdens: Mental Health Challenges in Lagos
Lagos is a city of over 20 million people—a sprawling megacity where opportunity and adversity coexist. While the city’s vibrancy is undeniable, its environmental stressors are relentless. The infamous traffic congestion can keep commuters on the road for hours daily, exposing them to noise pollution and physical exhaustion. Overcrowding in public spaces adds another layer of stress, as personal boundaries are constantly encroached upon. Research has shown that these daily stressors create a breeding ground for anxiety and depression among residents.
In 2021, The Lagos State Mental Health Survey revealed that depression affects 5.5% of residents, while generalized anxiety disorders impact 3.5%. These figures are even higher among young adults aged 18–24, women, and unemployed individuals. For many Lagosians, these mental health challenges are compounded by poverty and limited access to social support systems. Substance abuse is also a growing concern in Lagos, with many turning to drugs or alcohol as coping mechanisms for their struggles.
Cultural beliefs further complicate the situation. In many Nigerian communities, mental illness is often misunderstood as a spiritual affliction or a sign of personal weakness rather than a medical condition requiring treatment. This stigma discourages individuals from seeking professional help and drives many toward traditional healers who may lack evidence-based approaches to care.
Access to mental health services remains another significant barrier. Nigeria only has about 250 psychiatrists serving its population of over 200 million people, with even fewer concentrated in urban centres like Lagos. Public mental health facilities are often underfunded and overcrowded, making it difficult for residents to receive timely and effective care. Many primary healthcare providers lack the training to recognize or treat mental health conditions adequately, leaving patients misdiagnosed or untreated.
The systemic gaps in healthcare further exacerbate these challenges. For instance, while Lagos launched its Mental Health Policy and Work Plan in 2011 to address these issues, implementation has been slow due to inadequate funding and competing priorities. Additionally, societal stigma continues to hinder progress by preventing open conversations about mental health.
Despite these challenges, there is hope. The renewed focus on urban design for mental well-being provides an opportunity to address some of these issues holistically. Initiatives like creating green spaces, improving public transportation systems, and promoting walkable neighbourhoods can significantly reduce stressors and improve overall mental health outcomes.
Voices from the Hustle: Lived Experiences of Resilience
In Lagos, every individual has a story—a narrative shaped by the city’s relentless hustle and its unique challenges. These stories reveal not only the struggles people face but also their incredible resilience in navigating life’s complexities.
Take Chioma, a young entrepreneur who runs her own fashion business in Lagos Island’s bustling markets. “I wake up at 4:30 a.m., battle traffic for two hours to get to my shop, and then work until 9 p.m., only to repeat it all again tomorrow,” she shared during our conversation. Chioma admitted that she began experiencing panic attacks last year due to the overwhelming pressure to meet customer demands while also managing her family’s expectations. “I used to think I was just weak,” she confessed. “But now I realize that my mental health matters too.” Chioma eventually sought therapy after encouragement from a close friend—a decision she describes as life-changing.
Then there’s Ade, a secondary school teacher working in one of Lagos’ underserved communities. Ade has witnessed first-hand how poverty and unstable home environments affect his students’ emotional well-being. “Some of my students come to school hungry or haven’t slept because they’re sharing one room with five siblings,” he explained. “These kids are dealing with things no child should have to face.” Ade tries his best to create a safe space for his students by incorporating mindfulness exercises into his lessons but acknowledges that more systemic support is needed.
Another story comes from Adebayo, an unemployed graduate who struggled with depression after failing to secure a job despite years of effort. “I felt like I wasn’t good enough,” he said quietly during our chat at a local community centre offering free counselling services.
Adebayo described how societal expectations—especially those tied to masculinity—made it difficult for him to open up about his feelings. “Men aren’t supposed to cry or show weakness,” he remarked bitterly.
These personal accounts highlight the intersectionality of mental health challenges in Lagos—how they are influenced by factors such as gender roles, socio-economic status, and cultural norms. They also underscore the urgent need for accessible resources that cater specifically to these diverse experiences.
Despite their struggles, individuals like Chioma, Ade, and Adebayo demonstrate remarkable resilience—a testament to the human spirit’s ability to adapt even under immense pressure. However, resilience alone cannot solve systemic issues like inadequate healthcare infrastructure or pervasive stigma surrounding mental illness.
Their stories serve as both inspiration and a call-to-action—a reminder that while individual strength is admirable, collective efforts are essential for creating meaningful change in Lagos’ mental health landscape.
A Call to Action: Shaping a Brighter Future
As Lagos continues its rapid transformation into one of Africa’s largest megacities, addressing its mental health crisis must become a priority. This requires collective action from policymakers, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and every individual who calls this city home. We must advocate for increased investment in mental health services while challenging discriminatory attitudes through education and awareness campaigns.
This transformation begins with small steps: advocating for policy reforms, supporting community initiatives, or simply being there for a friend in need. Every action counts, and every voice matters.
In my own journey toward prioritizing well-being amidst chaos, I’ve learned that thriving doesn’t mean eliminating challenges—it means finding ways to navigate them with courage, compassion, and resilience. By sharing our stories and working collectively toward change, we can create a Lagos where emotional well-being is no longer an afterthought but an integral part of what makes this city thrive.
A Path Forward
Lagos is a city of contrasts—where resilience meets vulnerability, and ambition meets adversity. Yet, it is in these contrasts that we find the potential for transformation. By embracing our complexities and leveraging our strengths, we can build a society that values mental health as much as physical health.
This article has been sponsored by the Psychiatry Research Trust, who are dedicated to supporting young scientists in their groundbreaking research efforts within the field of mental health. If you wish to support their work, please consider donating.