“One of many greatest misconceptions is that remedy is just for people who find themselves ‘mad’ or have fully misplaced management. Many Nigerians nonetheless see therapy as one thing excessive, not as an area for understanding feelings, unpacking trauma, or studying more healthy methods to manage.”
However in a rustic the place one in 4 Nigerians suffers from mental health issues, and new church buildings spring up virtually each week, which one are individuals actually turning to when life will get heavy?
Ten Nigerians shared their experiences with mental health points and what vice they selected for his or her breakthrough.
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Remedy or God: Which One?
1. Gbemi, 25 – God
I typically expertise a combo of burnout, nervousness about my profession and future, and imposter syndrome. I’m not a churchy individual. However every time I really feel like this, I fall to my knees to wish. Do I at all times really feel higher afterwards? Completely.
I received’t select a therapist even when it’s free as a result of I don’t belief Nigerians to be skilled. I’d solely take into account seeing a therapist if I can go in sporting a masks, use a moniker and pay in money.
2. Daniel, 30 – Remedy and God
I noticed a psychologist. Household, associates and dependence on God have been useful. Personally, I like to recommend seeing a therapist.
Melancholy is an sickness of the thoughts. If it is sensible to hunt skilled assist for an sickness of the physique, it is sensible to do the identical for an sickness of the thoughts.
3. Damilare, 26 – None
I’ve been depressed many instances in my life. Even to the purpose the place I attempted to kill myself (twice). More often than not, my girlfriend makes me really feel higher. Different instances, I simply work.
I’ve by no means thought-about one as a result of I’m not snug sharing issues with individuals.
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4. Funmilola, 25 – God
I talked to God and toughened up. Will I ever take into account seeing a therapist? I don’t suppose so; I might somewhat use my cash to eat as a result of I do not like the concept of speaking to a stranger about my issues.
5. Zion, 20-something – I toughened up.
My pal died in my presence. He drowned. I saved seeing him for a few month. Each time I attempted to breathe, it felt like I used to be drowning. I knew I wanted to talk to somebody, not simply anybody, like a pal or member of the family, however like a licensed therapist.
I searched and couldn’t discover any. So, I toughened up. It was a troublesome expertise, and I did loads of issues to get my head straight, like ingesting alcohol and taking stuff. I bought higher, and that was it.
Zion’s story is especially touching. We have a good time Mental Health Week yearly, and but, he couldn’t discover assist when he wanted it probably the most.
6. S’Funmi, 25 – Na Collabo (God, remedy and household)
It took a mixture of God, remedy and household to drag by way of. I keep in mind I wasn’t so receptive when somebody tried to place me on digital remedy in 2019 as a result of it was an odd idea on the time.
I discovered it exhausting to open up completely. If I’m supplied free remedy now, I feel I would take it to see if I’d decide to it higher than I did the final time.
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7. Olu, 25 – God
I’ve had many tough moments. One I’ll always remember in my life was once I misplaced about 300k, and I needed to pay it again with out a job. I picked up some digital skills, labored, and very quickly was capable of pay up.
I’ve by no means sought out remedy periods, though I’m open to it, and I’ve had psychoanalytic periods.
8. XL, 27 – God and Household
Once I’m going by way of a section, I speak to my household first, then God. My greatest concern with in search of remedy is them not sticking to the skilled meters like confidentiality and placing their beliefs into the scenario. As a result of Nigerians are a large number even in skilled areas.
9. OT, 26 – Remedy, however by no means once more.
I needed to retake a 12 months at school, and it led me right into a type of depressive state. It was fairly dangerous that I needed to search remedy on the hospital – a fully incorrect concept. Most Nigerian mental healthcare employees and therapists are fully unprofessional, and their bias performs into their method to care.
