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Purpose: Relapse in mental illness is an issue of concern to both the patients and caregivers. This study primarily focused on determining the rate of relapse and identifying the socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with relapse. Method: A 5 year retrospective study was done involving 219 clients admitted into a mental health care facility in Nigeria. A proforma was designed to collect data on the socio-demographic and clinical variables from the client’s case notes after obtaining ethical clearance. Data was fed into SPSS version 16 and analysed using univariate and bivariate statistic. Findings: Multiple logistic regression was performed to ascertain the effect of age at onset of illness, living arrangement, family background, social class, index employment status, educational status, duration of illness and drug compliance on the likelihood of relapse in mental illness. The model was statistically significant, X2 (24) = 69.52, p

BACKGROUND: Knowledge acquisition and knowledge update through research remains an important factor to ensure quality and cost-effective care, which is the hallmark of professionalism and evidence-based care. Knowledge is vital in nursing due to the centrality of nursing to health care. More importantly is mental health because mental health is primary to general health, just as nursing is the heartbeat of health care. This makes the issue of mental health care, a necessary service that cannot be overemphasised. The World Health Organisation declares mental health as the essential form of health that needs to be acquired without which all others form of health may not be achieved. Further to this, the global emphasis on care and recovery of lost mental health is on the increase. This, therefore, makes evidence-based mental health care, a necessity and not a choice. AIM: To discuss evidence-based nursing, the benefits, challenges and opportunities. METHODOLOGY: This article adopts the traditional review method to assess the concept of discussion on mental health care, evidence-based practice and professionalism. FINDINGS: The term evidence-based care Is gaining recognition in a variety of professions and organisations. The use of evidence in nursing care is influenced by policies, knowledge of time management, availability of human resources, practice autonomy and attitude of professionals. However, the use of evidence-based practice is not debatable. CONCLUSION: The use of scientific evidence for validating nursing care is germane. This article exposed the barriers to evidence-based mental health nursing and the way forward.&nbsp