By Ijeoma Agbafo
May is the official month to create a healthy mental health environment, it is observed every May to raise awareness about mental health conditions, reduce stigma, and encourage people to seek help.
This observance began in the U.S in 1949, it was established by the Mental Health America to raise awareness and educate the public about mental illness, it soon spread across the globe.
It wasn’t solely started for a particular demographic but all inclusive, because everyone deserves a better mental state of mind. This awareness breaks the stigma behind mental health in the community.
For a while mental health care in Nigeria has been taken for granted. A lot of Nigerians do not believe in therapy or openly speaking about emotional struggles and mental illness is still widely misinterpreted. They say ‘ that one na white man problem’ but that perception is far from reality. Mental health conditions such as depression, ADHD, anxiety etc affect people across all societies, including Nigeria even if they are often unrecognized or untreated.
The current situation of the country also does little to ease the situation. With rising insecurity, economic hardship, and concerns about governance, many Nigerians are under constant pressure. These conditions can take a toll on people’s lives, mental health and emotional well-being, even when it’s not acknowledged.
Many people end up dealing with these pressures in silence, instead of seeking professional help, they confide in friends and families, which, while important, is not a substitute for trained mental health support. Even among those who do speak up, there are still many who suffer quietly, afraid of being misunderstood, judged or being ridiculed. For some, the silence is their only coping mechanism.
People, especially Nigerians, need to understand that experiencing these conditions doesn’t mean someone is ‘insane’ or that they are broken. Mental health conditions are medical and psychological issues that can affect anyone irrespective of your gender, age, nationality. They often stem from a combination of factors like stress, trauma, environment and biological influences.
Hence the need for Mental Health Awareness Month here in Nigeria. This creates an awareness and provides a safe environment for everyone.
One might ask how society distinguishes between severe mental distress and conditions that require professional support. This is why proper mental health education and access to qualified professionals are important. In many cases, terms associated with mental illness are casually used as insults, and people who behave differently or emotionally are often dismissed as having “lost their minds.” Such attitudes contribute to the stigma surrounding mental health and discourage many from seeking help.
The Mental Health Awareness Month educates people about mental illnesses and how it affects their everyday lives, while it can be difficult to live with, it doesn’t stop one from having a great life. It shows that people are not alone and they have the support of their community. The main goal is to raise awareness and help those in need to receive treatment.
