The recent news about the health challenges of a Big Brother Nigeria season 6 housemate (now ex-housemate), and the various reactions that sprung as a result, show that as a society we need more awareness about mental health. Mental health has often been regarded with tainted glasses in this part of the world.
What Taints Our Glasses?
In Nigerian society, we have cultural as well as religious views and norms that tend to sweep mental health issues under the carpet of ‘spiritual attacks”. A lot of people with mental health challenges are often stigmatised. In many cases, this leads to the ostracisation of the subject of mental health to the point that many forbid themselves from thinking or talking about it.
Furthermore, even amongst the youthful generation where we enshrine ‘wokeness’; we tend to put mental health issues into stereotypical boxes. These boxes could range from “attention-seeking”, “manipulative”, “pity party”, to “playing victim”, and much more.
The development that follows this is that people who have mental health challenges or are going through mental health distress are wary to speak up. Why would they, when they don’t want to be stigmatised and misjudged? As a result of this, many people suffer through these challenges, not getting the help they need.
How Can We Do Better As A Society?
Our actions matter. Individually, we should start to accept that challenges of life affect people differently. For instance, two people facing the same challenge may respond with different psychological responses. This acceptance puts us in a mind-frame of empathy- an essential quality we should have as human beings.
In addition, we should let go of our prejudices towards mental health, educate ourselves more about it and educate others around us. There is a need to stop stigmatising people who are going through mental health challenges. More importantly, we should call out the stigma when we see it. This is very significant in creating a better society in terms of mental health care.
Another vital point is kindness. It works hand in hand with mental health. Kindness is beneficial mentally to both the giver and receiver. Research shows that kindness creates a sense of belonging and is an antidote to isolation. If you followed MANI’s May mental health awareness campaign, there were lots of resources on kindness for better mental health as well as challenges on kindness to oneself, family, and friends.
In conclusion, if as individuals we do the aforementioned, there’s no denying the ripple effect across our society. In time, we will start to see the necessary changes in government policies, laws, and mental health care systems.
Remember to #BeKind
-Ebahi