Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI), a mental health advocacy organization in Nigeria, focused on tackling mental health issues and curbing the prevailing problem of depression and suicide in Nigeria, have recently featured in its mental health orientation programme recently held at Transceners International College and at Okelele Senior and Junior Secondary School respectively in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Emmanuel Oluwasayomi Ahmadu, popularly known as Mr Voiceover, a Kwara serving corps member whose sensational story recently broke the internet, got global attention and got him featured on “Great Stories” on the international television network, British Broadcasting Corporations (BBC) and on other media platforms worldwide on how he survived through life threatening experiences that led him to write O’level exams seventeen (17) times in five (5) years before securing admission into the University, yet he did not quit.
The corps member who narrated his ordeals during the MANI orientation outreach at Okelele Secondary School in IlorinEast, where he addressed students who were about 2,500 fromboth junior and senior sections as well as addressed students of Transcenders International College, Ilorin respectively in their hundreds, said he was at a stage terrified about what lifeholds when situation went sour and every hope seemed lost,even at the point that he became fatherless. Still, he kept all hope alive and today his story is a book before the world,serving as a source of hope in tackling the menace ofdepression and suicide in the country.
He admonished those passing through difficult situations toremain calm and forget suicide thoughts, laying emphasis thatsuicide can never be a solution to any predicament.
According to him, “No matter how much pain you’reexperiencing right now, you are not alone. Some of the finest,most admired, needed, and talented people have been whereyou are now. Many of us have thought about taking our ownlives when we have felt overwhelmed by depression anddevoid of all hope. But the pain of depression can be treatedand hope can be renewed. No matter what your situation,there are people who need you, places where you can make adifference, and experiences that can remind you that life isworth living. It takes real courage to face death and step backfrom the brink. You can use that same courage to face life, tolearn coping skills for overcoming depression, and for findingthe strength to keep going.”
While reacting to questions on how to tackle depression andsuicidal thoughts, he said the first step in coping withdepression is to share disturbing thoughts and open up topersons who can share in our burdens. According to him, “Itmay be a family member, friend, therapist, member of theclergy, teacher, family doctor, coach, or an experiencedcounselor. Find someone you trust and let them know howbad things are. Don’t let fear, shame, or embarrassmentprevent you from seeking help. And if the first person youreach out to doesn’t seem to understand, try someone else.Just talking about how you got to this point in your life canrelease a lot of the pressure that’s building up and help youfind a way to cope.
Also, he advised that students should desist from all forms ofImmoral behaviours in order not to truncate their careers andbring shame to the country as future leaders. Most students and youths are fond of comparing themselves with othersthrough what they see on the social media with feelings ofinferiority complex, which most times leads to unnecessarypressures of which have caused many youths frustration,depression and triggered suicidal thoughts in the end. Becausein recent times depression has emerged as a predominanthealth challenge leading to young persons taking their ownlives and engaging in societal vices, due to their inability tocope with societal and life pressures, thereby giving rise tointernet frauds, political thuggery, pornography and addiction,cultism, exam malpractices, prostitutions, drug abuse, schooldropouts, rape, teenage pregnancy and other societalmisconducts prevalent amongst youths in the country.”
Kwara State MANI Coordinator, Doctor Obabire Adeyemi told our correspondence that the mental health agency, a nonprofit organization is focused on ascertaining a sustainable mental health care for all and sundry, while seeking the support of relevant stakeholders, Government and individualsto support MANI’s vision in tackling the life-threateningmental health illness of depression, suicide and many others which is posing a great danger to both the poor and the rich in the country.