In a major push for mental health reform, the Lagos State Government has launched the Lagos Community of Mental Health Providers (LCP) Directory, a Ministry-led platform designed to centralize and expand access to mental health services across the state.
The new Directory offers a comprehensive registry of mental health practitioners and organizations in Lagos and surrounding areas. It provides residents with a single, reliable point of reference for seeking support.
The platform was officially unveiled at the Ministry of Health in Alausa, coordinated by Dr. Tolu Ajomale, Head of Special Projects and Mental Health at the Ministry. He described the initiative as a “historic and system-shaping milestone” for Lagos State’s growing mental health ecosystem.
Ajomale noted that Lagos hosts the largest concentration of mental health professionals in Nigeria. However, the absence of a verified information hub has long limited timely access to care. “This platform replaces confusion with clarity, isolation with collaboration, and misinformation with accountability,” he said.
The Directory aligns with the Lagos State Mental Health Law (2018), the THEMES+ Agenda, and broader state strategies for public health and primary healthcare. Ajomale emphasized that it strengthens Lagos State’s leadership in mental health reform and ensures residents can find help safely and promptly.
“The dense population and urban pressures of Lagos contribute significantly to Nigeria’s mental health burden,” he explained. “This new platform allows residents to search for services based on specialty, cost, local government area (LGA), and language. It removes guesswork that can put vulnerable individuals at risk.”
Centralized Access for Residents and Policymakers
The Directory also benefits government planning. Real-time data on workforce distribution and service gaps will support emergency preparedness and integration into primary healthcare.
The LCP Directory includes both clinical and non-clinical actors, covering psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, therapists, NGOs, digital health innovators, research institutions, community groups, support networks, and diaspora providers offering virtual services. This broad scope ensures recognition for all contributors to mental wellbeing.
Core benefits of the platform include improved access to verified resources, increased visibility for practitioners, stronger referral systems, and support for research, planning, and policy development. The platform also fosters collaboration, innovation, and coordinated mental health system growth.
Registration and Verification
Practitioners and organizations can register at www.lagosmind.org/providers and www.bit.ly/ileraokan. Registration follows a multi-step verification process to ensure safety, accuracy, and compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
Registered members gain greater visibility, stronger referral pathways, collaboration opportunities, and recognition within Lagos State’s official mental health ecosystem. They will also have access to training sessions, research engagements, and regular updates.
Once the first round of registration and verification is completed, the public-facing Directory will go live. Lagos residents can then locate services by LGA, cost, specialty, language, or accessibility. This platform is expected to reduce misinformation and make mental health care easier to navigate.
Ajomale assured that sensitive information would remain protected. Providers can update their profiles as needed, subject to re-verification. The Directory represents a key milestone in Lagos State’s efforts to provide inclusive, accessible, and coordinated mental health care for all residents.
