to “protect” himself from possible ridicule and the stigma that the Nigerian society attaches to mental illnesses. “It is hard enough to have these battles rage…with us, Titi Adeoti* would still not want his real name to appear in print. He prefers anonymity to “protect” himself from possible ridicule and the stigma that the Nigerian society attaches to mental illnesses.“It is hard enough to have these battles rage in my head,” he tells Guardian Life.
The situation is dire among men as male suicide rates are significantly higher than those among women in the West African country.“Men’s mental health in Nigeria is an area that requires urgent attention,” says Dr Oluseun Peter Ogunnubi, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Lagos and a Consultant Psychiatrist at Grace Cottage Clinics, Ilupeju-Lagos.
“This conditioning makes it difficult for men to admit when they are struggling and to seek the help they need. The society expects him to be strong. The appellate ‘Real men don’t cry’ has sent more men to their early graves than hypertension or cancer. We must embrace the culture that allows men to seek help without being shamed. We must all accept the fact that IT’S OK NOT TO BE OK!”
Okeke’s turning point came when a close friend noticed the changes in his behaviour and urged him to seek help. “It was a relief to finally talk to someone,” he says. “I started seeing a therapist and gradually learned how to manage my anxiety.”Dr Ogunnubi emphasises that changing perceptions around men’s mental health requires a multi-faceted approach. “Education is key,” he says.
“The truth is, therapy works like magic. After therapy, the psychiatrist may choose to prescribe medication or not. Seeing a psychiatrist does not mean you are mad. It simply means you are seeking help from an expert who is trained to manage brain behaviour issues, just as one would have sought the help of a cardiologist in case of heart conditions.”
“Religious organisations, while preaching faith, resilience, and hope, must also ensure they do not make it difficult for men to seek medical help.” “For a society that puts loads of pressure on its men, Nigeria does not take the mental health of its men seriously,” says Adeoti.If you are thinking about ending your life, please contact any of these suicide prevention lifelines to ask questions, make enquiries, and seek help from professionals.Not-for-profit organisations:
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