The Lagos State government has called on men to break the culture of silence and openly address
mental health issues to combat rising suicide rates.
Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, the executive secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency
(DSVA), emphasized the need for men to speak up during an event commemorating the 2023
International Men’s Day in Ikeja, themed “Zero Male Suicide.”
Vivour-Adeniyi highlighted the global impact of suicide, citing that 703,000 individuals commit suicide
annually, making it the fourth-highest cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds worldwide. She stressed
that suicide affects not only individuals but also families, communities, and entire countries.

Tolu Ajomale, the coordinator of special projects at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, urged men to
prioritize their mental health and acknowledged various factors contributing to mental health issues.
Ajomale encouraged men to openly discuss their mental health challenges and maintain a support
network of at least five individuals. The statistics on mental health are alarming, with a notable increase
since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.