Is it just me, or is mental health care in Nigeria a whole scam?

Dear Beautiful one,I’ve come to get you in your feelings, but this time I’m moving towards the Mental health talk. Okay, let’s be frank.Yes, our generation is very in tune with our feelings and passionate about mental health. More parents are emotionally intelligent and know what to say to their children. We have friends who are open about their mental health struggles, even people who suffer from severe mental health crises and self-harm.But does our country actually take mental health very seriously?I don’t think so.I know a friend who called the mental health institution helpline here in Nigeria when she was having a serious crisis. She needed someone to talk to; someone to snap her out of the dark place she was in. The caller on the other end barely sounded intelligent or trained.And this isn’t me being mean; In intelligence, there is a difference between knowing the scientific name of every food and having basic empathy and emotional intelligence.But there’s a way someone can talk to you in your lowest moment, and you look at them and know… Nah, she no really get sense like that.Excuse my pidgin, but you know what I mean.The reality is that while the world marks World Mental Health Day with AI-generated social media graphics, deep-sounding quotes, and IG live, back home, the infrastructure is almost nonexistent. We are living in a system where “managing” is the default state, where poverty and traffic alone are enough to send your blood pressure through the roof, and where seeking professional help often feels like a gamble.So, where does that leave us?It leaves us needing to be extremely deliberate about protecting our own minds and holding space for the people around us. The truth is, the official systems aren’t fully ready to catch us. The people in charge of mental health tracking may be doing it solely for money (which isn’t a bad thing, because we need to chop); so we need to do all we can collectively.I started my NGO because I wanted to support caregivers' mental health, and let me tell you: there is work! In every special needs family, there is someone who has thought of self-harm and suicide, including this writer.There have been multiple cases of mothers killing themselves and their disabled children because they are afraid of what will happen if they are not around anymore. It sounds valid. One of the fears of parents is ‘who will care for my children when I am not here?’Hmmm, omo.Let’s say there is plenty of work in that space in Nigeria.Why am I saying this on a Monday morning when there should be a motivational piece or something? Let’s leave the motivation for now, and let me urge you to be the mental health tracker for your friends and those around you.If the official systems aren’t fully ready to catch us, our personal routines, communities, and self-awareness have to step up.For yourself, watch for the signs. We don’t just wake up tired or burnt out. There are always subtle signs. For me, it starts when I get annoyed by the smallest things (like someone breathing too loudly or drivers behaving madly in traffic). Learn what your “low battery” warning looks like so you can step back before you shut down. For me, every time I feel like rapture should come right now, that’s a sign I need to rest immediately.Now, most importantly, guard your circle with everything in you. Since the professional helplines might disappoint you, build your own emergency response unit. And if you’re sensitive to the Holy Spirit, you’ll often see God place two people in your mind each week to pray for. Some of us have experienced those promptings.So, reach out to your friends, especially those with the cryptic posts and the history of depression. Be their joy, be the reason they want to stay in the world.Be that friend who actually knows how to listen without judging, preaching, or giving unsolicited advice. Sometimes, they need to laugh; sometimes they need prayers. It doesn’t hurt to ask what they require in that time. Every time I am going through a tough time and I talk to Foyin, I end up laughing because that girl is a clown in a beautiful woman’s body.So, that’s just all I have for you today.Now, I want to do something: Ask yourself, ‘How have I been doing?’ Get a journal, write the answer in it, be honest, and then share it with a trusted friend or, better still, write to God, the author and finisher of our faith, and our comforter.There have been times I was exhausted and thought the only way was death. Dark, right? And I would sleep and wake up refreshed. A part of me would wonder, ‘Where is that woman who wanted to die yesterday?’ God is also an answer for better mental health, and relying on him makes things better.I pray that God floods your mind with undeniable peace, surrounds you with people who truly see and hear you, and gives you the strength to rest when you need it most.And if anyone tries to threaten your peace in any way, may they buy 1,000 naira worth of meat and realise everything is stone-drenched in stew.Hey, at least I didn’t say someone should steal their partner.Take gentle care of yourself this week.Love, your mental-health-tracker,Twi-Twi.

Other insights from Oluwatoyin Odunuyi

Contributor Points

Points-to-Coupons

Referral Earning