“Marriage Troubles Deeply Linked To Mental Health Issues, Expert Warns”

Kano State Deputy Commander-General of Hisbah, Mujahideen Aminudeen, has disclosed that the majority of marital crises are linked to mental health challenges. He revealed that the Kano State Hisbah Board is making arrangements to introduce mandatory mental health tests for intending couples before marriage, as part of efforts to curb rising cases of domestic violence and divorce in the state.

In an interview, Aminudeen explained that the initiative is aimed at ensuring couples are mentally fit to live together in harmony. “We have realized that many of the problems we see in marriages today are connected to mental health. The test will help us determine if both partners are truly ready to live together without harming one another,” he stated.

According to him, counseling sessions at the Hisbah Board often reveal cases of women battling anxiety and depression, making mental stability a crucial element for a successful marriage. He also raised concerns over the consumption and sale of alcohol and intoxicants within homes, describing it as a significant contributor to mental health crises.

Aminudeen noted that the mental health assessment will also be extended to divorcees, particularly in marriages sponsored by the government. He explained that since other tests such as genotype and screening for sexually transmitted diseases are already compulsory in the state, adding a mental health evaluation would be a necessary step.

He further appealed to parents to carefully scrutinize the character of suitors before granting consent for marriage. His remarks followed a tragic incident in May 2025 at Farawa Quarters, where 18-year-old Saudat Jibril allegedly killed her husband, Salisu Idris, just nine days after their wedding.