A Suicide Survivor, Mr David Folaranmi, on Tuesday urged the Nigerian society to see mental health illness like every other treatable ailment.
Folaranmi, also a mental health advocate, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to him, it is imperative that the society begins to approach mental health illness in that manner to enable them shun all active and passive acts of stigma and discrimination against people with mental health disorders.
He said that stigmatisation against mental health generally, does more harm than good.
The Suicide Survivor decried the effects of stigmatisation to mental health, saying that it contributed immensely to the poor recognition, neglect and lack of attention given mental health in Nigeria.
He emphasised the need for the society to see/perceive mental health illness as other treatable diseases like malaria, ulcer or typhoid, saying that stigmatising people with mental health illness could actually drive them into more serious issue like suicide or death.
He added that stigma against mental illness could lead to feelings of shame and self-consciousness.
“We should stop stigmatising people who are struggling with mental health illness; this can actually drive them into more serious issue like suicide or death.
“We should look at them with empathy. These people are sick; is just a disease, is not a choice to suffer from mental health illness.
“It is not anybody doing you from your village most of the time.
“Mental illness is just like every other treatable disease that can be managed. The society should approach it in that manner and stop the stigma,” he said.
According to him, stigmatisation is a key barrier to access and utilisation of mental health services, particularly in low and middle-income countries like Nigeria.
He, therefore, urged people suffering from mental health conditions to desist from self-perceived stigmatisation such as negative attitudes and internalised shame about their own condition.
“Don’t let stigma create self-doubt and shame on you as a person, don’t isolate yourself or equate yourself with your illness.
“Unfortunately, a lot of stigma, negative attitudes and superstitious beliefs are associated with mental illness in the Nigerian society.
“In my own case, I made a conscious effort not to let any of these affect me by speaking up on my own issues.
“So, I am one of those people that recovered loudly from mental illness.
“As a matter of fact, if I see you on the street I start talking to you about it – do you know that I have suffered from this thing?
“So, before you even stigmatise me, I have already talked about what I was going through.
“But it is not the same with a lot of people, because people feel psychologically differently.
“Not everybody has that acumen to be able to talk about what he/she is going through,” Folaranmi said.
He advised that people suffering from mental health issues should pay more attention to the symptoms and effects of their mental conditions than they do to other aspects of health.
He identified some of the harmful effects of stigma to include reluctance to seek help or treatment; lack of understanding by family, friends, co-workers or others; fewer opportunities for work, school or social activities; bullying and physical violence or harassment.
