Veritas Affiliate, a faith-based organisation focused on mental health and trauma recovery, has trained 32 psycho-spiritual trauma therapists in Abuja as part of efforts to expand mental health support services in Nigeria. The training programme, which concluded recently, equipped participants with skills to address trauma through an integrated approach that combines psychological techniques with spiritual care, reflecting growing recognition of the need for holistic mental health interventions.
The initiative comes at a time when mental health awareness is gradually gaining traction in Nigeria, though significant gaps remain in service availability, particularly outside major urban centres. According to the World Health Organization, Nigeria has one of the lowest ratios of mental health professionals to population in Africa, with an estimated 150 psychiatrists serving a population of over 200 million. Non-specialist providers, including faith-based counsellors and community health workers, play a critical role in filling this gap, making programmes like Veritas Affiliate’s particularly valuable.
The psycho-spiritual model employed in the training recognises that for many Nigerians, spiritual frameworks are integral to how they understand and cope with mental distress. By equipping therapists to work within these frameworks while applying evidence-based psychological techniques, the programme aims to make mental health support more accessible and culturally relevant. The 32 newly trained therapists are expected to work in communities across the Federal Capital Territory and beyond, providing services to individuals affected by trauma, grief, and other mental health challenges.
From a public health perspective, investment in mental health training has economic implications that extend beyond individual well-being. Mental health conditions contribute to lost productivity, increased healthcare costs, and diminished quality of life. The World Health Organization estimates that depression and anxiety disorders alone cost the global economy an estimated $1 trillion annually in lost productivity. In Nigeria, where the prevalence of mental health conditions is compounded by limited access to care, expanding the pool of trained therapists represents a necessary step in addressing this burden.
The training also reflects broader policy directions under the National Mental Health Act of 2021, which established a legal framework for mental health services and emphasised the need for community-based care. The Act mandates the integration of mental health into primary healthcare and calls for the training of non-specialist health workers to deliver mental health services. Programmes such as Veritas Affiliate’s contribute to this objective by building capacity at the community level, aligning with the Act’s vision of a decentralised and accessible mental health system.
The focus on trauma is particularly relevant given Nigeria’s recent history. From insurgency in the North-East to communal conflicts, banditry, and the everyday stressors of economic hardship, many Nigerians have been exposed to traumatic events. Without adequate support, trauma can manifest in chronic mental health conditions, substance abuse, and impaired social functioning. Psycho-spiritual therapy offers a pathway to recovery that acknowledges the complex interplay between psychological wounds and spiritual meaning-making.
For the 32 therapists who completed the programme, the training represents both professional development and an opportunity to serve their communities. As they begin their work, they will encounter individuals whose mental health needs have long been unmet. The success of their interventions will depend not only on the skills acquired during training but also on the availability of referral pathways, supervision structures, and community acceptance—all of which require sustained investment from government, civil society, and faith-based organisations.
The Veritas Affiliate initiative also underscores the role of non-state actors in health system strengthening. With public health resources stretched across competing priorities, partnerships between government, non-governmental organisations, and faith-based groups are essential to achieving national health goals. The organisation’s focus on psycho-spiritual care demonstrates how faith-based institutions can contribute meaningfully to mental health service delivery while respecting professional standards and clinical best practices.
