A Systematic Identification and Review of Elements that shapes Public Perception and Management of Mental illness in Nigeria

Background: Public perception of mental illness in Nigeria has a greater impact on the attitude portrayed towards mental disorders. Adequate management of mental illness within the population is hindered by poor awareness and inadequate mental health services.

Aim: This study explores existing studies on mental illness, recognized the characteristics that are pertinent to this research to discuss factors that shapes public perception and management of mental illness in Nigeria.

Methods: This is a literature review which was performed on studies that covers the years 2014 to 2024 using a sample of 118 journal articles chosen from a pool of 258 journal articles obtained from search of electronic databases which include Scopus, Medline, CINAHL and PubMed which were further screened for full text using inclusion and exclusion criteria to obtained 9 journal articles used for the review.

Conclusion: The study concluded that without government creation of public awareness of mental illness and provision of accessible mental health services, the management of mental disorders will continue to be challenging to individual experiencing mental illness.