Historicizing mental health care services in Lagos, Nigeria, 1960-1991

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Periodical article

Title:	Historicizing mental health care services in Lagos, Nigeria, 1960-1991
Author:	Idaewor, Osiomheyalo
Year:	2014
Periodical:	Lagos Historical Review (ISSN 1596-5031)
Volume:	14
Pages:	97-116
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	mental health health care
Abstract:	This article examines the developmental stages of both orthodox and unorthodox mental health care services in Lagos, Nigeria. Starting from 1960, custodial mental health care services were progressively replaced by more conventional practices, which centred on medication, psychotherapy and the establishment of psychiatric regulatory bodies and institutions. The author argues that in spite of the transformations witnessed in mental health since 1960, the provision of services remained inadequate. It examines the chronological developments and how government interventions, such as the enactment of policies and legislations, establishment of institutions, committees, and regulatory bodies, and interventions by non-governmental institutions and individuals, influenced the provision of services. It concludes by demonstrating the inadequacies of the government and other stakeholders in this regard and why the adoption of the Mental Health Policy in 1991 in Lagos, became inevitable. Ref., sum. [ASC Leiden abstract]