Nigerians Don’t Really Get Mental Health?
- A summary of the narrative I see online everyday.
Although there is some truth to these statements, I believe they’re often exaggerated. Despite our plethora of knowledge about mental health issues it can be surprising how our knowledge isn’t exactly our reality.
There are incorrect assumptions people have about Nigerians and mental health (I also used to have them). One particularly deals with the general assumption that educated, exposed and/or the more affluent, are more mentally aware, or seek help for mental health issues more often than their counterparts.
Interning at the Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital in Yaba, Lagos - the infamous Yaba left- I’ve noticed that generally, we have not really come to terms with the reality of mental health issues.
It is one thing to talk, make threads and rant concerning the issue. However, taking action when reality hits us, is where we really win.
Interestingly enough, a lot of statements alluding to ignorance about mental health, are often directed to the uneducated/uninformed. However, in my experience, the “uneducated/uninformed” population tend to seek help more often than the “informed” people.
“Uneducated” individuals who visit the hospital also tend to be more cooperative with treatments and therapy than educated individuals. More often than not , educated folks will rationalize their issues and delay treatment until the issue is critical.
I believe pride plays a huge role here. I once heard someone say he couldn’t seek treatment at the hospital because he would rather not be associated with “mad” people. Some say only sick people see psychologists, and well they don’t believe they are “sick”, while some influential parents hide their kids with mental illnesses because “they cannot bring shame to my name”.
It’s really shocking what stigma can really do, isn’t it? However, it’s even more shocking how much impact one conversation could shift the general narrative on mental health and emotional wellbeing.
It’s time mental health care becomes an everybody topic, a conversation we’re all willing to have. Let’s make it less about who knows more about mental health, but what we can to do help those who don’t understand it well enough.
It’s time we helped each other get the help we need, when we need it.
P.s. My experiences in a general hospital might be biased and different from that of someone in a private clinic, i.e. the clientele demographic may vary in that setting.
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This post was submitted by Ayo Ogunmoye.
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