Major Highlights of the National Mental Health Act, 2021

The backdrop of inadequate laws and policies protecting persons with mental health disorders and the discrimination suffered by such persons necessitated the enactment of The National Mental Health Act, 2021 which replaces the over four decades old Lunacy Act of 1964. The National Mental Health Act, 2021 (subsequently referred to as “The Act”) is the main piece of legislation that covers the assessment, treatment, and rights of persons with mental health disorders. The Act seeks to provide direction for a coherent, rational, and unified response to the challenges relating to the delivery of mental health and substance abuse services in Nigeria, protect the rights and freedoms of persons with mental ill-health and substance abuse services in Nigeria, protect persons with mental and substance abuse disorders from discrimination, victimization and unfair treatment by employers, academic institutions and other agencies[1], amongst others.

This article examines some compelling provisions introduced by the Act.

[1] Section 1 of the Mental Health Act