I have noticed that a large number of mentally unstable people roaming the streets of Lagos are women. Statistics show that in almost every place, the percentage of women who suffer from mental illnesses are more than that of men. The statistics from the UK suggest that in England, women are more likely than men to have a common mental health problem. 10% of mothers and 6% of fathers in the UK have mental health problem at any given time. Sadly, there is no comprehensive data to support that of Nigeria. Why do we have more mentally disturbed women than men? Could it be that women are more stressed than men or are they terrible at stress management? Are women more predisposed to some variables that men are not? Do they react differently to these elements than men? The following factors, aside from medical and biological factors, (highly preventable though) may be responsible:

Poverty and substance abuse
Studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between poverty and mental illness. The lower the socio-economic status of an individual, the higher the risk of mental illness. Impoverished people are actually two to three times more likely to develop mental illness than those of a higher economic class. Poverty is a disease in Nigeria and I feel the majority of people wallowing in the quagmire of poverty are women. Financial issue is the leading cause of suppression in women. Women who are in terrible financial stance are prone to mental breakdown and having low self-esteem.
Also there is a strong association between poverty and substance abuse. Substance abuse, from street observation, is very rampant and cheap too. In cases where money cannot be exchanged, sexual services are exchanged.
I was told the story of a girl at Ajah roundabout whose father will send her to street ‘roughpharians’ to get drugs for him even to extent of mouth servicing them in exchange for weed. From findings, a wrap of weed is N200 to N500—an equivalent price of cheap sexual exchange in Lagos especially in the slums. Substance is a great debacle to mental stability.

Emotional stress
It is reported that treatment in childhood and in adulthood, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, domestic violence and bullying, has been linked to the development of mental disorders, through a complex interaction of societal, family, psychological and biological factors. Negative or stressful life events more generally have been implicated in the development of a range of disorders, including mood and anxiety disorders.
Poor parenting, abuse and neglect
In some parts of Nigeria, the girl-child is less important but that mentality is changing rapidly and more needs to be done. Poor parenting has been found to be a risk factor for depression and anxiety. Severe psychological trauma such as abuse can wreak havoc on a person’s life. Children are much more susceptible to psychological harm from traumatic events than that of adults. In Nigeria, we hear stories of sexual assault, girl-child abuse, home violence/neglect, social isolation, loneliness, homelessness, social disadvantage, poverty or debt and so on. Neglect most often happens during childhood by the parents or caretakers. Oftentimes, parents who are guilty of neglect were also neglected as children. The long-term effects of neglect are reduced physical, emotional,
and mental health in a child and throughout adulthood.

Relationships
Many women are in abusive relationships both physical and psychological; the end result being mental breakdown. If abuse in a relationship gets to a certain point, divorce is likely. Divorce takes a toll on both children and adults alike. Divorcees may suffer from emotional adjustment problems due to a loss of intimacy and social connections.

Social Expectations
The woman is expected to be everything. She is a daughter, a wife, a mother, the home keeper. This has earned them the title of ‘the multi-tasker’. The expectations from the female is so enormous that a little failure in an aspect will draw criticism. Not fitting in with the masses can result in meltdown and other types of emotional abuse.
Although in advanced countries, the mental health of women is not friendly, Nigeria can lower the statistics and life cases we see on the streets. The Government should set a commission that will be empowered to locate and prosecute families of wandering mentally unstable people. Homes for the mentally challenged must be up-to-date in research and equipment.
The government should mandate mental evaluation from government clinics for all Nigerians once every three years.
Psychologists, psychiatric doctors and educational psychologists should be employed across board at all necessary facets of the Nigerian sector.
We may not be able to eradicate it, we can surely reduce it.

Good observation

Happy to hear this @ now am sure my ex is unstable

D nigga above me is mentally unstable

lol Amosjaj.
Well, women are sensitive to almost evrything, always dreamin of a prince charmin, having a long bucket list, formin hard to get, tryin to make evrythin perfect, thinkin of wat u're thinkin nd so on. I really don't blame them. Shout out to all strong ladies!

So true...My stepmom is a victim right now...She needs serious psychology test

Hysmady:
So true...My stepmom is a victim right now...She needs serious psychology test

Quite sorry to hear that. She could start by talking to a Psychologist before talking about testing.