MENTAL HEALTH FOR MARGINALIZED POPULATIONS IN NIGERIA: STRATEGIES FOR INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE CARE

Abstract

Mental health disparities among marginalized populations represent a pressing public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria. This article systematically explores the intersection of marginalization and mental health, emphasizing the structural, cultural, and systemic factors that perpetuate inequities. It addresses marginalized groups, including internally displaced persons, individuals with disabilities, indigenous communities, and those in poverty, who face heightened risks of depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges due to compounded stressors such as stigma, discrimination, violence, and socioeconomic exclusion. Despite the growing burden, access to mental health services in Nigeria remains severely limited, hindered by urban-centric infrastructure, inadequate funding, and pervasive cultural stigma contributing to underutilization and poor outcomes. The article identifies strategies for improvement, including integration into primary health care, task-shifting to non-specialist providers, culturally competent interventions, and community-based approaches. Case studies, such as the She Writes Woman initiative, mobile mental health units for displaced persons, and the Friendship Bench model, demonstrate the effectiveness of these strategies. Ultimately, the article argues that addressing mental health disparities is not merely a clinical priority but a social justice imperative requiring coordinated reforms in policy, service delivery, and community engagement to ensure equitable mental well-being for all.