MAINSTREAMING MENTAL HEALTH IN NIGERIA

I am still on this mental health issue, because it is a form of health.

Some years back, I wrote an article on mainstreaming mental health in Nigeria; Barriers and Opportunities.

Read on, Digest, drop a comment and share.

" It is true that health is wealth but there is no health without mental health." Mr. Adeoye, a nurse at the Yaba Psychiatric Hospital Lagos, kept saying those words while he was welcoming Nursing students who were posted to the Yaba Psychiatric Hospital Lagos on November 21st, 2022. He also went on to say that " ninety percent of the psychiatric cases in the hospital are as a result of the abuse of drugs" and this is because so many people (especially youths) tend to always find solace in drugs or other substances whenever they are emotionally troubled just as Tunde did in the " infertility and emotional wellbeing" story by Jibril Abdulmalik on October 27th, 2022 which was posted on the Asido Foundation Blog. Without doubt, many Nigerians are suffering from mental health crisis than it is made to seem. The World Health Organization estimates that 20-30% of our population suffers from a mental illness, ranging from anxiety to depression, to substance abuse-related disorders. However, the issue of mental health is still very unpopular in Nigeria. So, what has or have been the obstacle(s) or impediment(s) to the popularization or normalization of mental health in Nigeria? Is there a way to make "mental health" popular in Nigeria?

BARRIERS
Often, those who have the greatest need for mental health treatment have not been taught the signs of mental illness and how treatment can help. A high percentage of the people suffering from mental illnesses do not even know they are battling with one. With physical injury or illness, signs are typically apparent- you feel sick, something hurts or a clinical test shows an abnormality. Mental illnesses, however, can be harder to recognize. Symptoms are often subtle and sometimes dismissed as "personality" or "attitude" issues. For example, clinical anxiety maybe dismissed as "worrying too much", and depression can often present as "laziness" or "fatigue". So, limited availability of mental health Education and awareness is a barrier to the Mainstreaming of Mental Health in Nigeria.
Also, Nigerians are very spiritually inclined and sometimes can be overly spiritual. The persons who are aware that they have mental health problems would rather flee to their Pastors or Imams (as the case maybe) for help rather than visiting Therapists who have been trained in this field. So, directly or indirectly, the over-spirituality of Nigerians has also been a barrier to the Mainstreaming of Mental Health in Nigeria. This may even continue to be a barrier if adequate care is not taken.
Furthermore, stigmas associated with mental illnesses - defined as the devaluing, disgracing, and disfavoring by the general public has also inhibited the "growth" of the mental health topic in Nigeria. The thoughts of facing discrimination in cultural, societal and professional circles can be very daunting and most times has led mentally distressed patients into even worse situations. Social stigma has therefore made many people to not voice out their pains. It is therefore an impediment, an obstacle, a barrier to the Mainstreaming of Mental Health in Nigeria.
Finally, the Federal Government of Nigeria has almost entirely neglected mental healthcare throughout its 62 years of independence. There has never been a comprehensive mental health act which addresses citizens' mental health needs. Mental Health conditions, such as intergenerational traumas, depression, anxiety disorders, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, chronic psychological or neurological illnesses or other social/emotional disturbances, have no progressive laws or infrastructure guiding their treatments. Medically, Nigeria has few trained Psychiatrists to attend to any mental health concerns arising among 200 million inhabitants. The overworked psychiatrists, who have not yet succumbed to the brain drain effects, are decrying the poor funding and dwindling labour force.


OPPORTUNITIES
Are there ways to make Mental Health popular in Nigeria? Are their chances for the advancement of the "gospel" of mental health in Nigeria even in the face of unfavorable barriers? Of course, Yes! Because, it does not matter how dark the clouds are, there will always be silver linings in the sky.
Foremost, it is expedient to note that the number of active social media users in Nigeria have grown from 18 million to 32.9 millions. That is a whooping 14.9 millions increase in less than seven years. As of January, 2022, Nigeria had 32.9 millions active social media users. WhatsApp is the most popular platform in the country, with over 90 million users. Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram followed as the most used social media platforms. This is to show that a good percentage of the total population of Nigeria (especially the Youths) can be reached via social media. It is therefore a good opportunity to pounce on, to popularize and normalize Mental Health in the country as Nigeria's Youth Population- comprising more than half of the entire citizenry, is at the heart of the fires of mental illness and are readily available on social media.
Since no substantial plan has been put in place by the Government to make Mental Health popular among Nigerians, especially at the local level, it is then high time Nigerians healed themselves. It is indeed sad that the Nigerian Government knowingly or unknowingly, deliberately or indeliberately, by ommission or commission has left the job of propagating the gospel of mental health to Nigerians in the hands of Non-profit organizations and they have been doing it with all dedication. However, the job of creating awareness and educating the populace through social media platforms will be more effective if it is done in audio-visual forms. Information in this form thrive and go viral more when compared to those in text (written) forms. Popular social media influencers and comedians can also be contacted and contracted to help in the constant dissemination of information on mental health as they have numerous followers who are readily available to listen to them. They are "die-hard fans". Nigerians who already have good understanding of the concept of Mental Health should also endeavor to talk constantly about the fact that there can never be health without mental health via social media and even physically. Teachers should teach it in schools. Everyone should be involved.
Finally, the fact that Nigerians are spiritual inclined is an opportunity in it entirety. They tend to listen and heed more when instructions and advices come from their spiritual leaders. Spiritual leaders should therefore seize this opportunity to speak more on Mental Health issues, how to tackle these problems and proper steps to take during periods of emotional trauma and the likes. Everyone should be involved. They should always resound that there can never be health without mental health. They should constantly remind their followers that their mental health is so essential for them to perform well at work. They should always let their followers know that they will serve God more and in the appropriate ways if and only if they are mentally well.


CONCLUSION
The higer the number of persons who hears the gospel of mental health in Nigeria, the more mainstreamed, popular and normalized mental health will become in Nigeria. All efforts, if channelled at awareness will definitely yield maximally in the Mainstreaming of Mental Health in Nigeria. The effective use of the social media and the incorporation of mental health topic in our religious places by our Religious leaders are very good opportunities to the mainstreaming of mental health in Nigeria.