In commemoration of 2024 World Mental Health Day, the lead creative at Blackhemages Media Concepts, Oluwatunmise Oladapo-Kuku, is set to host a groundbreaking retreat titled “A Fight for Life,” to address the urgent issue of men’s mental health.
The retreat which billed to hold onNovember 23, 2024, at The Rembrandt Hotel in Ikeja, seeks to create a psychologically safe space for men to engage in open dialogue about their mental well-being.
According to the organizers the event will have coaches, psychiatrists and suicide survivors who will speak to teach and share their experiences concerning the man anf their mental conditions as the providers in the society.
Oladapo-Kuku, who has over 20 years of experience as a media practitioner and lives with bipolar affective disorder, emphasizes the importance of understanding mental health beyond the stigmas often associated with mental illness. Through her podcast, “Mindfully with Tunmise,” she aims to demystify narratives surrounding mental health and promote wholeness and authenticity.
“A Fight for Life” will encourage men to connect with their true selves, addressing the often-ignored issue of mental health in men. Participants will explore their inner identities, navigate societal expectations, and gain tools to foster resilience.
”While June is recognized as Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, November also focuses on men’s health, highlighting the need for proactive discussions”.
The Mental Health Advocate expressed gratitude for the support of collaborators who have joined her vision, including co-host Ola Akin Dawodu and various partners contributing resources for the retreat. She noted that this initiative aims to raise awareness and provide healing opportunities, reinforcing that men can be healthy for themselves and their families.
As Oladapo-Kuku aptly stated, “Most dads will die for their families, but only a small number are willing to be healthy for them.” With this retreat, she hopes to foster a community where men can heal, connect, and thrive.
World Mental Health Day (10 October) is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma.
It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries.
This day, each October, thousands of supporters come to celebrate this annual awareness program to bring attention to mental illness and its major effects on people’s lives worldwide.
In addition, this day provides an opportunity for mental health professionals to discuss and shed light on their work, making mental health a priority worldwide.
In some countries this day is part of an awareness week, such as Mental Health Week in Australia.
According to the World Health Organisation, W.H.O. in the UK, a man dies by suicide every 90 minutes, with approximately 25 attempts for every successful case. In Nigeria, the suicide rate stands at around 9.5 per 100,000, placing it among the highest in Africa.