The Lagos State Mental Health Law establishes the Lagos State Mental Health Service and provides a legal framework for the organisation, delivery and protection of mental health care in the state.
At a glance
The Law addresses the structure of mental health services, access to care, treatment arrangements and protections for people receiving mental health care.
The Law addresses the structure of mental health services, access to care, treatment arrangements and protections for people receiving mental health care.
What the Law sets out to do
- Establish the Lagos State Mental Health Service and its governing structure.
- Support the development of purpose-built mental health facilities and mental health units across primary, secondary and tertiary care.
- Protect people experiencing mental disorder, mental illness and substance-use related problems and support access to mental health care.
- Set provisions concerning treatment, review and discharge, including voluntary treatment and safeguards around involuntary care.
- Recognise protections relating to non-discrimination, confidentiality, access to information, privacy and autonomy, treatment standards and other rights.
Why it matters
The Law provides the statutory framework through which Lagos State can organise mental health services and protect people who use them. It sits alongside state policy and other health-system instruments that guide implementation.