When you or someone you love needs a psychiatrist rather than a therapist, knowing where to go saves days. These are the main public and private options in Lagos, what each offers, and how to get seen.
The main public psychiatric hospital in Lagos is the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, whose emergency unit is open 24 hours and sees people without a referral. LUTH and LASUTH also run psychiatry departments, and private psychiatric hospitals operate in Ikeja, Lekki and Gbagada.
Psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist: who do you need?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in mental health. Psychiatrists can diagnose, prescribe medication, order tests and admit someone to hospital. Psychologists, counsellors and therapists provide talking therapy and don’t prescribe.
See a psychiatrist, usually at a hospital, when:
- Someone is hearing or seeing things others don’t, or holds fixed beliefs that aren’t true, such as being poisoned or followed.
- Someone is unusually elated, sleepless and reckless for days, or the reverse: so low they can’t eat, work or get out of bed.
- There are thoughts of suicide with a plan.
- Someone needs to come off alcohol, tramadol, codeine or sedatives, which can need medical supervision.
- Someone may need medication, or their current medication needs reviewing.
- An older relative is becoming confused or forgetful.
For most other problems, such as anxiety, low mood, grief, stress or relationship trouble, a therapist is a good place to start, and many people see both. Our guide to therapists, counsellors and psychiatrists explains the difference, and therapy or medication? covers how the two work together.
Public hospitals
Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba
Federal psychiatric hospital. 8 Harvey Road, Yaba.
Known across Lagos as Yaba Left, after the nearby bus stop. The name has become slang for mental illness, and that stigma keeps some people from coming. It is a hospital, and a busy, well-used one.
- What’s there: adult psychiatry, care for older adults, child and adolescent services, a substance use and addiction clinic, forensic psychiatry, sleep services, clinical psychology, occupational therapy and social work. The child and adolescent clinic runs at the hospital’s Oshodi annex.
- Clinic days at Yaba: Monday for general adult psychiatry, Tuesday for substance use and addiction, Thursday for forensic psychiatry and Friday for older adults. A private “amenity” clinic runs on weekdays from 8am to 4pm and arranges private ward admissions.
- How to get seen: everyone new to the hospital registers at the Emergency Unit, which is open 24 hours. You can come on your own, be brought by family, or come with a referral letter. After the first visit, the Appointment Unit books your follow-ups.
- Phone: 0815 517 0000 (also on WhatsApp) or 0906 000 1907. Email: enquiries@fnphyaba.gov.ng.
Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)
Federal teaching hospital. Main site on Ishaga Road, Idi-Araba. The Department of Psychiatry runs its outpatient clinics at the LUTH annexe, 6 Harvey Road, Yaba, next door to the neuropsychiatric hospital, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Acute admissions are at Idi-Araba.
- What’s there: adult, child and adolescent, older adult and addiction psychiatry.
- How to get seen: non-emergency cases need a referral, for example from a GP or another hospital. The department also lists Monday clinics at Idi-Araba, so confirm where to go.
- Contact: main line 0812 684 3334. Department email: psychiatry@luth.gov.ng.
Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH)
State teaching hospital. 1–5 Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja.
- What’s there: a psychiatry department with psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists and social workers. The hospital doesn’t publish psychiatry clinic days, so ask when you book.
- How to get seen: book online at lasuth.org.ng, or call. The hospital is open 24 hours for emergencies.
- Phone: 0913 132 1160. Email: enquiry@lasuth.org.ng.
Lagos State general hospitals
LagosMiND, the Lagos State Ministry of Health’s mental health programme, lists these general hospitals as places primary health centres refer people for mental health care. Call first, because not every one has a psychiatrist on site every day.
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- Alimosho General Hospital, Igando Road, Ikotun
- Gbagada General Hospital, Hospital Road, Gbagada
- Lagos Island General Hospital, Broad Street
- Ikorodu General Hospital, T.O.S. Benson Road
Lagos State is also building a 500-bed psychiatric hospital in Epe. It isn’t open yet.
Private psychiatric hospitals and clinics
We haven’t inspected these, and a listing here isn’t a recommendation. Before you commit, ask who the psychiatrist is, ask to see its current registration certificate from HEFAMAA, the Lagos State health facility regulator, and ask what a consultation and any admission will cost.
- Synapse Services, Magnolia Center, Ikeja. 14a Alabi Street, off Toyin Street. Inpatient care with 24-hour nursing, outpatient clinics, addiction treatment, adult ADHD, and child and adolescent care. Phone 0909 219 0476 or 0815 288 2329.
- Pinnacle Medical Services, Lekki Phase 1. 27B Olabanji Olajide Street, off Rahman Adeboyejo Street. Psychiatrist-led outpatient care, including addiction, ADHD, psychology, and child and adolescent services. Phone 0708 928 8628 or 0903 973 2292.
- Tranquil and Quest, Lekki. Behavioural health unit at 15 Isaac Olokun Aluko Street, Igbo Efon. Adult, child and adolescent, substance use and older adult programmes, open 24 hours, and it accepts several HMO plans. Phone 0706 928 3293.
- The Olive Prime, Lekki Phase 1. 10B Adewale Kolawole Crescent, off T.F. Kuboye Drive. Inpatient and day programmes, detox and services for children, with a consultant neuropsychiatrist. Phone 0905 700 0852.
- Happy Family Hospital, Gbagada. 11 Zainab Crescent, Medina Estate. Psychiatrist-led, with inpatient and outpatient care, adolescent services and consultations by video, open 24 hours. Phone 0802 070 8583.
What happens at your first visit
At the neuropsychiatric hospitals the first visit usually runs like this:
- You register at the emergency unit and give your details. There is a registration fee.
- You get a hospital number, a folder and an appointment card. Any referral letter goes into your folder.
- A nurse checks your blood pressure, pulse and temperature.
- A doctor sees you and decides on the next steps, which may include tests, medication, therapy or admission.
- You book your next appointment.
Bring any referral letter, a list of medicines taken so far, and someone who knows what has been happening, if you can. First visits can take most of a day.
Crisis and support lines in Lagos
- Lagos Lifeline, the state’s mental health helpline: 0700 000 6463, toll-free and open 24 hours, or WhatsApp 0909 000 6463. No referral needed.
- SURPIN, a suicide prevention line that began at LUTH: toll-free 0800 078 7746, or 0908 021 7555.
- Safe Place Nigeria: 0800 800 2000, toll-free and answered 24 hours a day.
Our helplines page lists more.
Drug and alcohol help
The neuropsychiatric hospital’s Tuesday addiction clinic, LUTH’s addiction psychiatry and several of the private hospitals above treat drug and alcohol problems. Stopping alcohol or sedatives suddenly can be dangerous, and coming off opioid painkillers such as tramadol is safer with medical support, so start with a doctor. Our guide to substance abuse and where to get help and our page on addiction explain the options.
What it costs
None of the Lagos hospitals above publishes its fees. Public hospitals charge for registration, consultations, tests, medicines and admission. Private hospitals usually cost more. Ask for the cost of registration, a consultation and, if needed, admission before you go.
If you’re on NHIA, the standard benefit package includes consultations with specialists, psychiatrists among them. Ward stays are capped at 21 days a year and need a referral, and higher-level services need your HMO’s approval. Private HMO plans vary, and many limit mental health care. Ask your HMO and the hospital’s NHIA desk before you rely on cover. Our guide to whether your HMO covers therapy shows what to ask.
In an emergency
- If someone is in immediate danger, call 112, or 767 in Lagos.
- Psychiatric emergencies: the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital’s emergency unit in Yaba is open 24 hours. Any hospital A&E can also help.
- To talk to someone now: Lagos Lifeline on 0700 000 6463 or Safe Place Nigeria on 0800 800 2000.
Where Mytherapist.ng fits
Our therapists provide talking therapy. They don’t prescribe medication or admit anyone to hospital. If you need a psychiatrist, start with one of the hospitals above. Therapy can run alongside psychiatric treatment, and you can find a therapist in Lagos, or see someone online.
Addresses and phone numbers were taken from each hospital’s own website. Last checked by phone: [DATE: fill in before publishing]. Numbers change, so call before you travel.
Suggested read: Psychiatric Hospitals in Abuja: Where to Go
Frequently asked questions
Where is the psychiatric hospital in Lagos?
The Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital is at 8 Harvey Road, Yaba. LUTH’s psychiatry clinics are next door at 6 Harvey Road, and LASUTH’s psychiatry department is at 1–5 Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja.
What is Yaba Left?
It’s the popular name for the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, taken from the nearby bus stop. It is a public hospital for mental health care.
Can I go to Yaba psychiatric hospital without a referral?
Yes. Everyone new to the hospital registers at the emergency unit, which is open 24 hours, and it accepts people who come on their own or are brought by family.
Is there a Lagos State psychiatric hospital?
LASUTH in Ikeja runs a psychiatry department, and several state general hospitals take mental health referrals. A dedicated 500-bed state psychiatric hospital is being built in Epe but isn’t open yet.
Does NHIA cover psychiatric treatment?
NHIA’s standard package includes consultations with psychiatrists and limited hospital stays, subject to referral and your HMO’s approval. Check with your HMO and the hospital’s NHIA desk first.
