Healing with Dignity: Mental Health, Equity and Human Rights in Nigerian Social Work Practice

Mental health care in Nigeria continues to face recurrent challenges related to equity, human rights, and access to services. Social work practice is underutilised especially in mental health systems despite its relevance to psychosocial care, advocacy, and community-based intervention. The study was guided by six objectives and anchored Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) and the Social Determinants of Mental Health Framework. A systematic review design was adopted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Six electronic databases were searched: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and African Journals Online, alongside Google Scholar and grey literature sources. The search covered studies published between January 2016 and March 2026. A total of 1,311 records were identified (PubMed 210; Scopus 320; Web of Science 185; PsycINFO 160; CINAHL 145; AJOL 110; Google Scholar 156; grey literature 25). After removal of 312 duplicates, 999 records were screened. Title and abstract screening excluded 897 studies, while 102 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. Ultimately, 32 studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 15 qualitative, 10 quantitative, 5 mixed-method, and 2 policy or grey literature sources. Data were synthesised using narrative thematic analysis. Findings show that social workers roles in psychosocial care, case management, and community engagement, are crucial; although their integration into mental health systems remains underutilised. Nigeria continues to face a high burden of mental health conditions driven by socioeconomic stress, stigma, and weak service capacity. Key barriers include poor policy implementation, workforce shortages, cultural beliefs, and structural inequality. Despite these challenges, interventions such as the Mental Health Act 2021, mhGAP programmes, NGO-led services, and WHO frameworks demonstrate progress toward rights-based care. The study concludes that Nigeria has made policy progress, but systemic and institutional weaknesses continue to weaken effective implementation. It recommends stronger policy enforcement, workforce expansion, improved funding, and scaling up of community-based and rights-focused mental health services.