Windows of opportunity in integrating mental health into care of neglected tropical diseases: the Nigeria experience

Abstract

In this invited commentary, the Mental Health and the Neglected Tropical Diseases(NTDs) Program leads in the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare share the opportunities that have arisen from recent global progress in normative guidance and political interest in the intersection of mental health and NTDs. They describe the new collaboration that has taken place between their programs, e.g. contributing to the World Health Organization Essential Care Package for Mental Health, Stigma and NTDs and integration of mental health for the first time into the new National NTD Masterplan.