Historically, mental health has been clothed in secrecy in Nigeria. The mentally ill were sequestrated, disregarding their rights. Often victimized, they become suicidal without societal empathy and legal protection. Mental health law remains static, a Colonial legacy. Changing needs of society, socio-economic vicissitudes/depression affected the mental state of many Nigerians, which subsequently drove some to attempt suicide. Under the moribund Lunacy Act 1958, the Criminal and Penal Codes 2004, attempted suicide is criminalised, further exacerbating the psychological state of the suicidal. Government is reluctant to amend the Lunacy Act, along extant societal reality. This article examines the historical and social antecedents of the Lunacy Act, its relevance to mental healthcare; the socio-cultural factors impeding its amendment; and the Mental Health Act Bill. It concludes that these laws do not secure constitutionally guaranteed social responsibility of government. Nigeria has reached a crossroad. Citizens must demand that Government ensure reform of the mental health law.

从历史上看，精神卫生在尼日利亚是保密的。精神病患者被隔离，无视其权利。他们经常受害，在没有社会同理心和法律保护的情况下自杀。心理健康法仍然是静态的，是殖民地遗留下来的。社会需求的变化，社会经济的变迁/抑郁影响了许多尼日利亚人的精神状态，随后促使一些人自杀。根据1958年《濒死的Lunacy法》（2004年《刑法》和《刑法》），自杀未遂被定为犯罪，这进一步加剧了自杀的心理状态。政府不愿根据现存的社会现实对《 Lunacy法案》进行修订。本文研究了Lunacy法案的历史和社会前提，它与精神保健有关。阻碍其修正的社会文化因素；以及《精神健康法》法案。结论是，这些法律不能确保宪法保障的政府社会责任。尼日利亚已达到十字路口。公民必须要求政府确保改革精神卫生法。