Nigeria Mental Health Helplines: Get Help Now
Last updated: 11 July 2025
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or unsafe with your thoughts, there is help. The helplines below connect you to trained counsellors who will listen without judgement and guide you to the right support. All calls are confidential, and many are toll‑free from any Nigerian line.
Quick‑Access Numbers
| Organisation | Number | Why Call? |
|---|---|---|
| Safe Place Nigeria | 0800 800 2000 (toll‑free, 24/7) | National crisis line run by She Writes Woman offering counselling and referrals to free tele‑therapy. |
| MANI Suicide & Crisis Line | 0809 111 6264, 0811 168 0686 (24/7) | Peer‑led emotional support from Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative. |
| SURPIN – LUTH | 0908 021 7555, 0903 440 0009, 0811 190 9909, 0701 381 1143 (24/7) | Suicide Research & Prevention Initiative, Lagos University Teaching Hospital. |
| Lagos Lifeline | 0700 000 6463 (0700 000 MIND) (24/7) | State‑run mental‑health emergency line for Lagos residents. |
Full Directory of Helplines
| Organisation | Phone Numbers | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Place Nigeria (She Writes Woman) | 0800 800 2000 (toll‑free) | 24/7 | Crisis counselling; connects callers to free online therapy and community support. |
| Lagos Lifeline (State Govt.) | 0700 000 6463 (0700 000 MIND) | 24/7 | Links callers with psychiatric professionals and emergency services within Lagos State. |
| Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI) | 0809 111 6264, 0811 168 0686 | 24/7 | Nigeria’s largest youth‑driven mental‑health NGO; calls answered by trained volunteers. |
| National Emergency Number | 112 (toll‑free) | 24/7 | For any life‑threatening emergency nationwide; ask for mental‑health assistance. |
| Nigerian Suicide Prevention Initiative (NSPI) | 0806 210 6493, 0809 210 6493 | 24/7 | Telephone counselling and suicide‑prevention education. |
| SURPIN – Lagos University Teaching Hospital | 0908 021 7555, 0903 440 0009, 0811 190 9909, 0701 381 1143 | 24/7 | Evidence‑based crisis line staffed by mental‑health professionals. |
| Federal Neuro‑Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba (Lagos) | 0815 517 0000, 0906 000 1907 | Weekdays + 24h emergencies | Specialist psychiatric hospital; can arrange same‑day in‑patient admission. |
| Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro (Abeokuta) | 0903 638 0203, 0701 073 7073 | Weekdays + 24h emergencies | Historic national referral centre; provides community outreach. |
| Federal Neuro‑Psychiatric Hospital, Kaduna | 0803 272 2243 | Weekdays | Northern zone referral hospital; crisis assessment and admission. |
| National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) | 0807 709 1123, 0807 709 1124 | Weekdays | Report abuse, discrimination, or rights violations in mental‑health settings. |
| Lagos State Emergency | 767 | 24/7 | General emergency line (police, ambulance, fire) within Lagos. |
How to Call for Help
- Find a safe, quiet space. If you can’t speak freely, send a brief text or ask someone you trust to call.
- Say how you feel. You don’t need a diagnosis—telling the counsellor you feel “unsafe with my thoughts” is enough.
- Let them guide the call. Counsellors may ask questions to understand your situation and keep you safe.
- If a line is busy, try again or call another number. Don’t give up—you deserve support.
- For immediate danger, call 112 (nationwide) or 767 (Lagos) or go to the nearest hospital.
More Support Options
- Book a private video session on Mytherapist.ng — see a licensed therapist from anywhere in Nigeria.
- Join the MyTherapist.ng community for daily affirmations, guided meditations, and peer support groups.
- Follow @mentallyawareng and @shewriteswoman on social media for mental‑health content and live chats.
Disclaimer
We aim to keep this list accurate and up to date, but helpline availability can change. If a number doesn’t connect, visit the organisation’s website or social pages to check for updates, or dial another helpline on this page.
This directory is for informational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.