Details checked 3 November 2026

Mental health services in Lagos State

Public psychiatric care, the state's free 24-hour helpline, drug and alcohol help and support after sexual violence, with the numbers to ring.

See the servicesTalk to a therapist online

Getting help in Lagos State

Where to start

Lagos has more public mental health services than most states. The Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Yaba runs an emergency unit that is open 24 hours, where everyone new to the hospital registers. LUTH and LASUTH both have psychiatry departments, and four state general hospitals take mental health referrals from primary health centres.

If you don't know where to start, ring Lagos Lifeline. It is run by the Lagos State Ministry of Health, it's free, it answers 24 hours, and its counsellors can tell you where to go next. After rape, sexual assault or violence at home, the state's Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency and the Mirabel Centre at LASUTH offer free help.

The state is building its own psychiatric hospital in Epe, but it isn't open yet. Our guide to psychiatric hospitals in Lagos goes further into what each hospital offers, the private options and what happens at a first visit.

Most people in Lagos get by in English, Yoruba and Pidgin, and Mytherapist.ng has therapists who work in all three. Many of them are based in Lagos, and every session is online.

3 services

Psychiatric hospitals and clinics

Federal neuropsychiatric hospital · Yaba

Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba

  • Emergency Unit open 24 hours, where everyone new to the hospital registers
  • Clinics at Yaba for adults (Monday), drug and alcohol problems (Tuesday), forensic psychiatry (Thursday) and older adults (Friday)
  • Child and adolescent clinics at the Oshodi Annex (Tuesday and Thursday)
  • Sleep clinic, clinical psychology, social work and occupational therapy
8 Harvey Road, Yaba, Lagos
0815 517 0000 · also WhatsApp0906 000 1907
fnphyaba.gov.ng

Details from the institution's own website, checked 3 November 2026.

Federal teaching hospital · Idi-Araba and Yaba

Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Department of Psychiatry

  • Adult, child and adolescent, older adult and addiction psychiatry
  • Outpatient clinics at the Harvey Road annexe on Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • Acute ward at Idi-Araba
  • Counselling, psychotherapy and psychological tests

Emergencies are seen at LUTH's 24-hour accident and emergency unit, with or without a referral. Other cases need a referral.

Ishaga Road, Idi-Araba. Outpatient clinics at the LUTH Annexe, 6 Harvey Road, Yaba
0812 684 3334 · hospital line

Not the department's own line. The department's email is [email protected].

luth.gov.ng

Details from the institution's own website, checked 3 November 2026.

State teaching hospital · Ikeja

Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Psychiatry Department

  • Diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions
  • Psychology, occupational therapy and social work
  • Hospital open 24 hours
1-5 Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja, Lagos
0913 132 1160 · hospital line

No psychiatry number is published. Appointments can be booked online at lasuth.org.ng.

lasuth.org.ng

Details from the institution's own website, checked 3 November 2026.

1 service

State programmes and community care

Lagos State general hospitals · Ikotun, Gbagada, Lagos Island and Ikorodu

General hospitals on the LagosMiND referral list

  • Referral points for mental health care from 57 primary health centres across the state

LagosMiND doesn't say a psychiatrist is at each hospital every day, so ask before you travel.

Alimosho General Hospital, Igando Road, Ikotun. Gbagada General Hospital, Hospital Road, Gbagada. Lagos Island General Hospital, Broad Street. Ikorodu General Hospital, TOS Benson Road, Ikorodu
LagosMiND publishes no numbers for these hospitals. It suggests ringing Lagos Lifeline for help choosing where to go.
lagosmind.org

Details from the institution's own website, checked 22 October 2026.

1 service

Help with drugs and alcohol

Federal drug agency centre · Gbagada

NDLEA Lagos Command counselling and rehabilitation centre

  • Counselling and psychosocial support
  • Help returning to work, school and family life

For people who aren't physically dependent, or who have finished a medically supervised withdrawal. Anyone dependent on alcohol, sedatives or opioids should see a hospital first.

5, Jogunomi Street, Gbagada Phase 2 Estate, Lagos
0800 1020 3040 · NDLEA helpline, free

No number for the centre itself. The NDLEA helpline can confirm the address.

ndlea.gov.ng

Details from the institution's own website, checked 3 November 2026.

2 services

After rape, sexual or domestic violence

State agency · Lagos State

Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA)

  • Legal, medical and emergency help after domestic or sexual violence
  • Counselling and psychosocial support
  • Eko Haven shelter
  • Child protection and reporting
08000 333 333 · free, 24 hours

Details from the institution's own website, checked 3 November 2026.

Sexual assault referral centre · Ikeja

Mirabel Centre

  • Free medical examination and treatment by trained forensic examiners
  • Counselling, face to face or by phone
  • Free medical, psychosocial, forensic and legal support for women, men and children
Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja General Hospital Road, Ikeja
0815 577 0000 · helpline0818 724 3468 · also WhatsApp0701 349 1769

Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

mirabelcentre.org

Details from the institution's own website, checked 3 November 2026.

1 service

Local helplines and emergency lines

State emergency line · Lagos State

Lagos State emergency number (LASEMA)

  • Police, ambulance and fire within Lagos State
767 · toll-free
lagosstate.gov.ng

Details from the institution's own website, checked 3 November 2026.

Free or low-cost lines

Lines you can call from anywhere in Nigeria

These answer callers in Lagos State and across the country. The full list, including lines for violence and trafficking, is on our helplines page.

  • National emergency number

    If someone is in danger right now. The nationwide rollout isn't finished, so if 112 doesn't connect, go to the nearest hospital emergency unit.

    112 (toll-free)

    Police, fire and ambulance

  • Safe Place Nigeria

    Trained counsellors from She Writes Woman. Anyone in Nigeria can call, and you don't need call credit.

  • Lagos Lifeline

    Free crisis support and counselling from the Lagos State Ministry of Health. Open to anyone in Nigeria, not only Lagos.

  • SURPIN

    Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative. Trained counsellors for emotional support and crisis help.

    0800 078 77460908 021 7555

    Its site says its toll-free line is answered 24 hours

  • MANI (Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative)

    A mental health charity. Its "Get help now" button opens WhatsApp.

    0916 841 7413 (WhatsApp)0809 111 6264

    Hours aren't published on its site

  • NDLEA drug helpline

    Support for anyone affected by drug use, their own or someone else's. In English, Pidgin, Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo.

Talking therapy

Therapists based in Lagos

Hospitals are the place for emergencies, admission and medication. For talking therapy, Mytherapist.ng sessions happen by video, voice or chat, so you can see a licensed therapist from home in Lagos State without waiting for a clinic day. 88 of our therapists are based in Lagos.

See therapists in Lagos

Good to know

Getting help in Lagos State: common questions

Where do new people go at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba?

To the Emergency Unit, which is open 24 hours. The hospital says everyone new registers there. Its clinics for adults, older adults and drug and alcohol problems run on set weekdays.

Is there a free mental health helpline in Lagos?

Yes. Lagos Lifeline, run by the Lagos State Ministry of Health, is free and answers 24 hours, by phone or WhatsApp. It takes calls from anywhere in Nigeria, and its numbers are on our helplines page.

Where can someone get help for drugs or alcohol in Lagos?

The Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, runs a substance use and addiction clinic, and LUTH's psychiatry department treats addiction. The NDLEA also runs a free helpline that offers support at any hour. Coming off alcohol, sedatives or opioids suddenly can be dangerous, so start with a doctor.

Where can I get help after rape or sexual assault in Lagos?

The Mirabel Centre at LASUTH, Ikeja, gives free medical care, a forensic examination and counselling to women, men and children. The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency runs a free helpline, open 24 hours.

Keep reading

More on getting help

All states →