Insurgency Takes Heavy Mental Toll on Borno Residents — ICRC
By Ali Mohammed Zanna, Maiduguri
The 16-year Boko Haram insurgency has taken a heavy psychological toll on residents of Borno State, with significant percentage of the population reportedly experiencing mental health challenges, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said.
An ICRC psychologist, Dr Bitrus Maina, disclosed this during a mental health lecture and awareness session organised for student nurses, midwives and lecturers at the College of Nursing and Midwifery, Maiduguri, to mark the 2026 World Mental Health Day.
Maina said prolonged exposure to conflict and its consequences had heightened the need for mental health care and psychosocial support in communities affected by the insurgency.
He explained that mental health went beyond the absence of mental disorders to include people’s ability to cope with daily challenges, manage their emotions and function effectively within their communities.
The psychologist also highlighted the wider mental health burden in Nigeria, citing an estimate that about 40 million Nigerians were living with mental health challenges.
He expressed concern over the shortage of qualified mental health professionals in the country, including psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and psychiatric nurses, saying the gap could limit access to essential services.
Maina urged student nurses to consider specialising in mental health care to help address the shortage of trained professionals and improve access to treatment, counselling and psychosocial support.
Also speaking, Comfort Ashelo Dauda, an ICRC staff member, identified stigma and discrimination as major barriers preventing people from seeking mental health care.
She said many people were reluctant to discuss their experiences or seek professional help for fear of being judged or discriminated against.
Dauda said the ICRC provided mental health and psychosocial support to people affected by the insurgency in Borno, including families of missing persons and communities dealing with the consequences of prolonged conflict.
She added that the organisation’s interventions were aimed at addressing psychological needs, promoting healthy coping mechanisms and preventing further emotional distress.
According to her, the awareness session would equip participants with the knowledge to recognise mental health challenges and identify individuals who might require professional support.
Maina Kachallah Muhammad, who represented the college’s Provost, Dr Hadiza Yahaya, commended the ICRC for organising the lecture, describing it as an opportunity for students to strengthen their understanding of mental health care.
The Students’ Union Government President, Bashir Goni Sansari, also welcomed the initiative, stressing the importance of mental health awareness among future health professionals.
World Mental Health Day is observed annually on October 10 to raise awareness, promote access to mental health services and challenge the stigma associated with mental health conditions.
