Issue #10 - The one on the stigma and stereotypes against persons with mental illnesses
This touches on the ordeal of persons with mental illnesses who still have to struggle with double problems: first, with the symptoms of the disease itself, and then, the misunderstanding and stigma.
Welcome to the latest edition of our mental health newsletter! If you are one of our new subscribers, we are thrilled to have you as a reader and be rest-assured that we are committed to providing you with valuable information and resources to support your mental well-being. Together, let's explore the many facets of mental health and discover the tools and resources available to help everyone of us thrive.
Also, I think it is worthy of note that as the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, it's also a reminder that even amid uncertainty and turmoil, nature continues its cycles of growth and renewal. In the same way, we too can find ways to nurture and support our own mental well-being, despite the challenges we may be facing.
Before we get into it, here is a friendly reminder that this newsletter is your monthly mental health dose from the staples of the SoundAsABell Initiative where the vision is to advocate for the elimination of shame, stigma, and discrimination against persons with mental illnesses in our society. We hope that the information provided will be helpful to you in understanding and taking care of your mental health. Remember, taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health.
Let us get into it!
Yetunde is eight years old and in primary three at the neighborhood primary school. She was a very cheerful and happy child but has recently become withdrawn and moody, after her parents were compelled to withdraw her from school to sit at home. She now spends her day in her mother’s kiosk where her mother sells petty items. She stares at other children on their way to school every day while she has nothing to do. Her mother once caught her crying quietly at the back of the shop, and she tried her best to console her, but she also ended up crying with her. She understood why she was unhappy. Her heart is also heavy but what else could she do? Yetunde started having fits at the age of three and she now has fits, at least once every week.
Unfortunately, it usually happens during the daytime when she is away at school. The teachers and other parents kept on complaining as they did not want other students to also become affected by epilepsy. Afterall, ‘everyone knows that if the saliva of someone having a fit touches your body, you will also develop the condition’ – they would say. When the pressure became too much for her parents to bear, they moved her to another school, but the same cycle repeated itself. Indeed, the bullying and jests were even worse in the new school. At their wits end, her parents reluctantly withdrew her from school.
Reports have it that mental health challenges are common and 1 in every 10 Nigerians may have one form of mental illness or the other. This translates to about twenty million Nigerians, or the entire population of three to four states. In the same vein, it is important to note that epilepsy is not contagious and is very treatable. Same for all forms of mental illnesses. They can be treated and go on to live normal lives without problems.
It is saddening that people with mental health problems frequently say that social stigma, rejection, and discrimination they experience is what makes their lives more difficult than the illness itself. Thus, recovery becomes very tough when people start avoiding them or treating them differently on account of their mental health challenges. These problems could even come from family, friends and employers or colleagues at work.
Furthermore, stigma and discrimination also prevent many people from coming forward and accessing treatment, as a consequence of the shame and embarrassment. Thus, they become socially isolated, or their families hide them away and lock them up somewhere. So, stigma and discrimination can trap people in a vicious cycle. We need to address this ignorance and improve the situation. Will you play your part?
As we come to the end of this issue of our mental health newsletter, we want to thank you for taking the time to read the content we shared today. We hope that you found something new, valuable, and inspiring that will take you another step towards mental health literacy.
I will be in your inbox again on the fourth day of next month as we continue to explore different aspects of mental health and bring you the latest information and resources. Thank you for your continued support and take care of yourself. Remember, your mental well-being is a priority, and you deserve to be happy and healthy.
Note: This newsletter is an excerpt from the book, Optimal Mental Health: An Everyday Guide by Dr. Jibril AbdulMalik who lectures with the Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.