TOWARDS ENDING THE SECRECY AND SHAME AROUND MENTAL ILLNESS: THE UNASHAMED2020 CAMPAIGN

“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.”
– Glenn Close

Globally and in Nigeria, there is a rise in the burden of mental disorders, drug abuse and suicide rates. The world health organization (WHO) estimates that 1 in every 4 persons are at risk of developing a mental health challenge at some point in time in their lifetime (25% lifetime prevalence). In Nigeria, with an estimated population of about 200 million people, this implies that about 50 million Nigerians are at risk of developing a mental health problem.

Another way to bring this figures home so we appreciate the gravity is to look at it from the family perspective. An average family has at least 4 members – father, mother and 2 children. The lifetime prevalence of 1 in every 4 persons at risk, would therefore translate into at east one member in every family at risk of developing a mental health challenge at some point in their life. So, this is not something that happens to other people very distant from us. You and I or our family member may be the ones with a mental health challenge tomorrow.

The question we therefore need to answer is: where will your family take you to, if you develop a mental health challenge tomorrow? Traditional healer where you may be chained and beaten? A faith-based healer, where the ‘demons’ that have ‘possessed’ you will be whipped out of you? Or starved out of you? Or will you be taken to a hospital to receive psychotherapy, medications and support until you recover and get back on your feet?

At the heart of the problem is the pervasive ignorance and superstitious beliefs around mental illhealth. We tend to be fearful and run away from things we do not understand. And this lack of information and myths around mental health challenges makes it seem like a strange and mysterious situation that we are helpless about. But this is not true. They are simply myths and superstitions. The reality is that mental health challenges are treatable and surmountable. And such individuals can return back to normal and productive lives with their families, at work and as active members and participants in communal living.

It is therefore gratifying to see more people and organizations promoting mental health awareness and aiming to dispel the secrecy and darkness around mental health issues. Shedding more light and promoting open conversations will help to dispel the associated shame, stigma as well as the prejudice that leads to discriminatory behaviour against affected persons and their families.

We are therefore enthused about the #unashamed2020 campaign by a mental health advocacy organization, the Asido Foundation, which is hoping to achieve 1 million people committed to taking the #unashamed2020 pledge. The pledge aims to open a new chapter as we start the decade of the 2020s, that promotes open conversations around mental illhealth.

People who take the pledge commit to supporting affected persons and their families; fighting against shame, stigma as well as discrimination; ensuring humane and qualitative mental health services that is in tandem with global best practices; and protects the human rights and dignity of affected persons.

These daunting challenges can best be surmounted, through concerted campaigns that energizes the citizenry to become proactive and take a stand. This is what the #unashamed2020 campaign aims to achieve, and we call on our readers to visit www.asidofoundation.com/unashamed2020 and take the pledge.

It is also pertinent to note that beyond the ignorance and lack of access to the right information is the challenge of low government attention towards mental health, with grossly insufficient mental health services across the country. We have very few psychiatrists, clinical psychologists as well as psychiatric nurses and the few available are also being continually lost due to brain drain. We still operate in Nigeria, the Lunacy Act of 1958; which is obsolete and a far cry from current dictates of the protection of the dignity and the human rights of affected persons. The name itself makes one cringe. Attempted suicide remains a criminal offence on our statutes.

So we also need the government to reform and strengthen the mental health system with better priority attention, increased funding, speedy reforms and passage of the mental health bill and the faithful integration of mental health into primary care - already a policy since 1991 but with near non-existent implementation.
A multi-faceted approach that involves all stakeholders will be pivotal towards changing the gloomy state of mental health in our society for the better. We are all stakeholders, as we may be directly or indirectly affected at any time. So, we should all add our voice and lend a helping hand to the #unashamed2020 campaign and the push for mental health reforms.

JIBRIL ABDULMALIK
Tribune Article for the column “Your Mental Health & You”
Thursday, 6th August 2020
ASIDO FOUNDATION
www.asidofoundation.com

🎯 #unashamed2020

🎯 Pledge Number 2 of 10

🎯 We deserve a modern mental health law in tandem with global best practices

🎯 But Nigeria still operates, the obsolete Lunacy Act of 1958

🎯 The current Senate Committee on Health, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Y. Oloriegbe is pushing the Mental Health Bill.

🎯 We applaud and appreciate them and wish to encourage them to complete the process soon

🎯 Want to take the pledge? Visit https://www.asidofoundation.com/unashamed2020

#unashamed2020
#asidovision

🎯 #unashamed2020

🎯 Pledge Number 3 of 10

🎯 The biggest obstacles for persons with mental health challenges include shame, secrecy, stigma and discriminations

🎯 We need to be able to have open and frank conversations around mental illness

🎯 Because it is a common problem and nearly every family will have some experience of it

🎯 Secrecy only makes it worse....For everyone

🎯 Want to take the pledge?
Visit
https://www.asidofoundation.com/unashamed2020

#unashamed2020
#asidovision

Another Opportunity!!

Due to popular demand, the Membership Application Portal has been re-opened for those who missed it earlier.

The Asido Foundation aims to promote better understanding around mental health issues.

In this video, we invite you to join and support us via our Call for Membership.

Here is your opportunity if you missed it earlier.

https://youtu.be/0PTQgNdfQjs


Apply via this link Bit.ly/JoinAsidoFoundation

And remember to take the #unashamed2020 pledge on our website at www.asidofoundation/unashamed2020

🎯 #unashamed2020

🎯 Pledge Number 4 of 10

🎯 At the core of the shame and stigma associated with mental disorders is the myth that they are NOT treatable.

🎯 But this is false and they are treatable. They can recover and live meaningful and productive lives IF they receive treatment, support and encouragement

🎯 Will you be an agent of promoting recovery or increasing the problems for affected persons and their families?

🎯 Want to take the pledge?
Visit
https://www.asidofoundation.com/unashamed2020

#unashamed2020
#asidovision

Sickle Cell Disease was once considered a spiritual problem and referred to as Ogbanje or Abiku. Because we didn't understand what it was all about.

Twins were once considered to be abominations that would bring ruin to families and were killed....
Because we didnt know any better.

But we know better now and have stopped these abusive/horrific actions.

It is now time to also be better informed and do better with mental disorders.

Will you?

Some endorsements for the #unashamed2020 campaign in this video.

https://youtu.be/8R7A91XVhEU

Have you taken the pledge to support persons living with mental health challenges?

If not, please visit
https://www.asidofoundation.com/unashamed2020

And take the pledge today. Then invite others to do so too.

Together, let's make the 2020s a decade of better understanding and open conversations around mental health issues. No more shame or stigma.

You can do something. Take the pledge. Talk to others about it.

🎯 International Youth Day: 12th August.

🎯 Africa has a predominantly youthful population

🎯 However, they cannot achieve their potentials and be engaged for global action while they suffer mental health problems and drug abuse

🎯 Half of adult mental disorders start around mid teenage years.

🎯 The age group with the highest prevalence of mental disorders is between 18 to 25 years.

🎯 Only a healthy (physical and mental) youth can be productively engaged in positive causes.

🎯 Asido Foundation focuses on Youth Mental Health and engagement as one of our 8 Core Areas of Activities

🎯 Have you taken the #unashamed2020 pledge?
Visit
https://www.asidofoundation.com/unashamed2020

#unashamed2020
#asidovision

Please find attached above, the summary Bulletin from last month's Interactive Monthly Community Engagement (IMCE) Series which focused on the Stigma of Mental Illness and Psychosocial Disabilities. Our Facilitator was Dr Toyin Janet Aderemi-Ige. Please find time to read through and share with others too

🎯 #unashamed2020

🎯 Pledge Number 5 of 10

🎯 Persons affected by mental health issues as well as their families need our support.

🎯 They frequently face challenges at work, in school, and within the community.

🎯 These are usually as a result of ignorance, stigma and discrimination. Even when they have recovered and are doing well.

🎯 We should not silently look away from their struggles.

🎯 We should speak up and actively show them that we care and support them to recover and re-integrate.

🎯 It is NOW TIME to know better and DO BETTER.

Will you?

🎯 Want to take the pledge?
Visit
https://www.asidofoundation.com/unashamed2020

#unashamed2020
#asidovision
#knowbetterdobetter

🎯 #unashamed2020

🎯 Have you taken the pledge? Yes? Good job 👏👏

🎯 No? Please do so and support the campaign.

🎯 Then take it forward. Please talk to friends, family and others in your network to also do the same.

🎯 Together, let's promote open conversations around mental health issues.

🎯 To take the pledge, please visit
https://www.asidofoundation.com/unashamed2020

#unashamed2020
#asidovision
#knowbetterdobetter

🎯 *#unashamed2020*

🎯 Together, let's promote open conversations around mental health issues.

🎯 End the shame and the stigma associated with mental health challenges.

https://youtu.be/0WRoKyOFfp0

To take the pledge, please visit
https://www.asidofoundation.com/unashamed2020

#unashamed2020
#asidovision
#knowbetterdobetter