Crisis Help: Nigeria
If you’re in crisis right now, you’re not alone. Help is available, free, and confidential.
⚠️ Content note: This page discusses suicide, abuse, self-harm, and violence. If this is overwhelming right now, you can just call the number below. You don’t have to read everything.
🚨 RIGHT NOW: Call This Number
Section titled “🚨 RIGHT NOW: Call This Number”SURPIN (Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative)
Section titled “SURPIN (Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative)”Phone: 0800 078 7746 (toll-free)
Other lines: 0908 021 7555 (9mobile) • 0903 440 0009 (MTN) • 0814 224 1007 (Hausa line)
Hours: 24 hours
Cost: Free on the toll-free line; network rates may apply on mobile lines
Website: surpinng.com
What happens:
- Emotional support and suicide prevention
- Trained responders (LifeLine International member)
- Confidential and judgment-free
(Numbers verified against SURPIN and LifeLine International, June 2026.)
Other Crisis Options (Choose What Works for You)
Section titled “Other Crisis Options (Choose What Works for You)”Mental Health Crisis
Section titled “Mental Health Crisis”SURPIN: 0800 078 7746 (toll-free, 24-hour)
- Emotional support for any crisis
SERAP (Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project): 01-493-0000
- Human rights advocacy (can help with institutional abuse)
Suicidal Thoughts
Section titled “Suicidal Thoughts”SURPIN: 0800 078 7746 (toll-free, 24-hour)
- Suicide prevention and support
Mental Health Foundation: Lagos office
- Mental health support
Abuse or Violence
Section titled “Abuse or Violence”Domestic Violence:
- National Human Rights Commission: 0803-400-9999
- Local police family unit
- Women organizations in your state
Sexual Abuse:
- Mirabel Centre (Lagos): 01-493-5633
- SERAP: 01-493-0000
- Local hospital
Child Abuse:
- National Child Rights Commission: 0800-000-8888
- Local social services
Youth Crisis
Section titled “Youth Crisis”SURPIN: 0800 078 7746 (toll-free, 24-hour)
- Support for young people
Youth-focused NGOs: Search in your state
LGBTQ+ Crisis
Section titled “LGBTQ+ Crisis”SURPIN: 0800 078 7746 (toll-free)
- Support for LGBTQ+ people (confidential)
Note: Same-sex relationships are illegal in Nigeria. Crisis services provide confidential support.
Disability-Specific Crisis Support
Section titled “Disability-Specific Crisis Support”Disability Rights Foundation Nigeria: 01-413-8081
- Support and advocacy for disabled people
National Association of the Physically Disabled: Search local chapter
Substance Use Crisis
Section titled “Substance Use Crisis”SURPIN: 0800 078 7746 (toll-free)
- Substance use information and support
NARC (Narcotics Anonymous): Local meetings
- Peer support groups
By Region
Section titled “By Region”National numbers work nationwide. Major cities have additional resources:
- Mirabel Centre (sexual assault): 01-493-5633
- SURPIN: 0800 078 7746
- National Hospital: 09-413-2588
- SURPIN: 0800 078 7746
Kano, Kaduna, and Northern Nigeria
Section titled “Kano, Kaduna, and Northern Nigeria”- Use national numbers
- Contact state mental health services
Other States
Section titled “Other States”- SURPIN (0800 078 7746) works nationwide
- Contact state health ministry
Emergency: Life-Threatening
Section titled “Emergency: Life-Threatening”Immediate life-threatening danger:
- Call 112 for emergency (nationwide)
- Call 911 (some areas)
- Go to nearest hospital/emergency
- Contact police (local precinct)
What to Say When You Call
Section titled “What to Say When You Call”You don’t need perfect words. Just say:
- “I’m in crisis”
- “I’m thinking about suicide”
- “I need to talk to someone”
Counselors are trained to help.
Accessibility & Contact Methods
Section titled “Accessibility & Contact Methods”For Those Without Phone Access
Section titled “For Those Without Phone Access”- SMS/Text: Some services available via text
- Email/contact forms: via SURPIN at surpinng.com
- In-person: Some NGOs have physical offices
For Multiple Languages
Section titled “For Multiple Languages”- English (primary)
- Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa available
- Other local languages: Ask about support
Rural Areas
Section titled “Rural Areas”- Phone services available from anywhere with mobile network
- Some NGOs operate in rural areas
For Blind/Low Vision
Section titled “For Blind/Low Vision”- All services available by phone
- Some NGOs have offices in major cities
After You Call
Section titled “After You Call”Crisis lines help you get through RIGHT NOW. After that:
Finding Ongoing Support
Section titled “Finding Ongoing Support”Contact:
- Your nearest primary health center
- General hospital
- State mental health service
Mental health professionals:
- Nigerian Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba Lagos
- University teaching hospitals
- Private practitioners in major cities
Government support:
- State health ministry
- FIRS (social welfare)
Important Information
Section titled “Important Information”Most services listed are free, but cost and hours vary by service — check each one.
Many services run 24/7, but some have limited hours — check each listing.
Confidentiality
Section titled “Confidentiality”These lines are confidential. Emergency services are contacted only in cases of serious, imminent, life-threatening risk.
You Can Call Multiple Times
Section titled “You Can Call Multiple Times”Many people use crisis services multiple times. That’s normal.
You’re Not “Sick Enough” to Call
Section titled “You’re Not “Sick Enough” to Call”If you’re asking: “Am I sick enough to call?” → You are. Call.
Safety for LGBTQ+ People
Section titled “Safety for LGBTQ+ People”LGBTQ+ support is confidential. Your safety is protected.
Related Resources
Section titled “Related Resources”Confirm each number with the service before calling; details can change.
In crisis right now? Call 0800 078 7746 (SURPIN, toll-free). Everything else can wait.
Cost, confidentiality, and hours vary by service — check each listing.
Contribute to This Page
Section titled “Contribute to This Page”Have lived experience or expertise that could strengthen this page? We especially welcome perspectives on models not well represented here, including those from the Global South and Indigenous communities.
This page centers disabled people’s expertise and is informed by disabled-led organizing globally. For questions or to suggest additions, see How to Contribute.