How is Nigeria’s Mental Health 2: Whew, 2020 Did a Number on Us
Around this time last year, I wrote a short article on Nigeria’s mental health, more like an overview of the issue of our mental well-being in this country. We’re doing that again.
I had no idea how important and foremost our mental well-being might be in the coming months of the year 2020.
Once hailed as the year for a great turnaround, the year of great things to come, the future of flying cars!
Vision 2020!! It was almost like we all had a love affair with that number. Though, that all ended around March with a fast rise in the number of cases of the novel coronavirus (aka covid-19) in various countries, you know the rest.
Countries were hit with lockdowns, economic downturns, layoffs, it was an economic apocalypse, well…not the way we all pictured the typical apocalypse. 👇🏾
Nigeria, like most countries, was hit with its own lockdowns, but it was also hit in multiple folds. Our economy was on the verge of collapse, borders were shut, schools were already on strike, we had ENDSARS Protests which became much more than police brutality, but unfortunately met a bloody end,
fainting politicians, multiple job losses, looters vs. hoarders, losing loved ones and so on.
Nigerian youths, we got hit the hardest, our innovative spirit was challenged in many ways, our businesses were closed, schools were on strike or shut down as well, multiple job losses. we even had loved brands shuttered or forced to revise their business models. This has had a negative impact on the youths.
This article from zikoko on Nigerians telling readers about their mental state during the coronavirus induced lockdowns.
Here’s an excerpt from one of the interviews;
“I had no choice but to go see a psychiatrist. It was either that or killing myself, and I really wasn’t in the mood to die. I decided to go to a psychiatric hospital in Calabar. I was prescribed some drugs and we’ve had to adjust the dosage over time. I started with 100mg daily, reduced to 50mg after a while, then down to 25mg only when I needed it. But the Lekki Tollgate incident happened and messed up my psyche and I’m back to 25mg daily. It was a really mentally disturbing period. “
In recent times, underrated organisations like MentallyAware have become vital and integral to the youths especially during the EndSARS protests.
Although, more people are beginning to talk about their mental state and well-being. There’s still a large number of people who still struggle with it in private as well as our understaffed and overwhelmed mental health practitioners not being able to pass help across.
It is imperative that you look after yourself and your mental well-being. And if you are feeling overwhelmed, please seek professional help or reach out to non-profit organizations like MentallyAware.
Here’s to 2021 being better than our former flame. 🥂
