# Mental health group welcomes Senate move to decriminalise attempted suicide

> Nigerian Mental Health group supports Senate bill to end criminalisation of suicide attempts.
- Title: Mental health group welcomes Senate move to decriminalise…
- Summary: Nigerian Mental Health group supports Senate bill to end criminalisation of suicide attempts. Nigerian Mental Health (NMH) and Nigeria Suicide Prevention…
- Keywords: nigerian mental health, senate, suicide prevention, decriminalisation, nmh, ns pawg, suicide attempts, criminalisation, mental health bill, nigeria, news, politics
- Source: Premium Times Nigeria — https://premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/917851-mental-health-group-welcomes-senate-move-to-decriminalise-attempted-suicide.html
- Author: Mariam Ileyemi
- Published: 2026-10-17T17:49:24+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: nigerian mental health, senate, suicide prevention, decriminalisation, nmh, ns pawg, suicide attempts, criminalisation, mental health bill, nigeria, news, politics
## Senate passes suicide prevention bill
The Senate passed the Suicide Prevention Bill, 2024 (SB 730) on October 13, 2026.
## Mental health groups support bill
Nigerian Mental Health (NMH) and Nigeria Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group (NSPAWG) welcomed the Senate's move.
## Bill aims to decriminalise suicide attempts
The bill seeks to remove criminal penalties for attempted suicide in Nigeria.
## Current legal status of suicide attempts
Under Section 327 of the Criminal Code and Section 231 of the Penal Code, attempted suicide remains a criminal offence.
## Why criminalisation is harmful
NMH and NSPAWG say criminalisation discourages people experiencing suicidal distress from seeking timely support.
## WHO estimates for Nigeria
WHO estimates Nigeria records over 15,000 suicide deaths and roughly 300,000 suicide attempts annually.
## Bill's sponsor explains position
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong said attempted suicide should be treated as a mental health emergency requiring medical intervention.
## Bill proposes medical support
The bill provides medical assessment, referral, treatment and follow-up support for survivors of suicide attempts.
## Bill includes training and education
The bill proposes training for professionals and first responders, public education and stronger national data collection.
## Opposition from Senate President
Senate President Godswill Akpabio argued removing imprisonment could encourage suicide attempts.

> If you attempt suicide, make sure you die. Anyone who attempts and fails will go to jail
## Call for public hearings
NMH and NSPAWG urged Senate committees to allow mental health professionals and affected people to contribute.
## NMH's #SuicideNotCrimeNG campaign
NMH launched the #SuicideNotCrimeNG campaign with over 40 mental health organisations and civil society partners.
## Next steps for the bill
The bill requires clear responsibilities, sustainable funding and accountability for effective implementation.
## NMH's call for action
NMH urged Federal Ministry of Health to operationalise and fund the Department of Mental Health Services.
## Key takeaway

Nigerian Mental Health (NMH) and Nigeria Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group (NSPAWG) support Senate bill to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria.