Details checked 3 November 2026
Where to get public psychiatric care in Port Harcourt, help with drugs and alcohol, and support after sexual violence.
Getting help in Rivers State
Rivers State's own Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital at Rumuigbo, in Obio/Akpor, first opened in 1977. The state rebuilt it and reopened it in August 2026 with a 100-bed rehabilitation centre for mental health and drug problems. The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital runs a neuropsychiatric clinic every weekday, with set days for drug problems and for autism and speech delay in children.
The state opened a sexual assault referral centre in Port Harcourt in November 2025, offering medical, psychological and legal help in one place. The NDLEA's Rivers State Command has a counselling centre on Aba Road.
Port Harcourt also serves people from nearby states: Delta's government said in September 2026 that its residents travel here and to Benin City for psychiatric care.
English and Pidgin carry most conversations in Port Harcourt. Mytherapist.ng has therapists who work in Pidgin, and every session is online, so you can talk to one from anywhere in the state.
2 services
State psychiatric hospital · Rumuigbo
The state hasn't published a number or street address, so ask locally for directions.
Details from the institution's own website, checked 3 November 2026.
Federal teaching hospital · Alakahia, Port Harcourt
A general line, also labelled for emergency medical care. Not the clinic's own.
Details from the institution's own website, checked 3 November 2026.
1 service
Federal drug agency centre · Port Harcourt
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.
No number for the centre itself. The NDLEA helpline can confirm the address.
Details from the institution's own website, checked 3 November 2026.
1 service
State referral centre (Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation) · Borokiri, Port Harcourt
Details from the institution's own website, checked 3 November 2026.
Free or low-cost lines
These answer callers in Rivers 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.
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.
24 hours
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.
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.
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.
24 hours
Talking therapy
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 Rivers State without waiting for a clinic day.
Good to know
Yes. The Rivers State Government reopened the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital at Rumuigbo in August 2026 after rebuilding it, with a 100-bed rehabilitation centre for mental health and drug problems.
UPTH says its neuropsychiatric clinic runs Monday to Friday. Drug-related problems are seen on Monday, autism and speech delay on Thursday, and problems with more than one drug on Friday.
The Rivers State Sexual Assault Referral Centre, opened in November 2025 by the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, offers medical, psychological and legal help. The state's Office of the Public Defender gives survivors free legal representation.
Keep reading