Experts warn ‘suffering and smiling’ masks mental distress

Mental health professionals have cautioned that Nigeria's cultural practice of "suffering and smiling" may mask emotional distress among citizens, hindering individuals from seeking assistance. This warning was presented at the inaugural Nigerian Mental Health Summit, held to mark World Mental Health Day. The virtual conference featured discussions on lived experiences, migration, cultural norms, and the necessity for a more responsive mental health support system tailored to Nigerians' circumstances.

Kehinde Ekpudu, a clinical social worker from Canada, highlighted that the Nigerian emphasis on resilience and strength could make it challenging for people to acknowledge when they needed help. She explained that expressions like "I'm just tired" or "It is well" were often used instead of candidly discussing internal struggles.

While such expressions aren't inherently harmful, cultural identity, family, and faith can reinforce the expectation that individuals must remain strong despite adversity. Ekpudu advised mental health professionals to delve deeper than the surface-level descriptions of people's situations and seek to comprehend the emotions and challenges that underlie them.

She posed the question, "Are we truly well internally?" Migration often exacerbates these issues, as Nigerian professionals relocating abroad grapple with unfamiliar environments, altered social expectations, diverse professional systems, and the loss of previous support systems. Ekpudu cautioned that what appears as resilience on the outside might actually be a highly developed survival mechanism, with individuals becoming so accustomed to constant stress that it becomes their normal state.

Mental healthcare, she argued, should extend beyond addressing symptoms like anxiety and depression to explore the underlying experiences, relationships, and identity struggles that contribute to these issues. The National Mental Health Programme Coordinator at the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Tunde Ojo, revealed that the ministry is striving for widespread mental health condition destigmatization and has established a brain health desk to coordinate brain health initiatives nationwide.

Ojo stressed that neurological care and neuroscience had previously lacked a defined place in policy, making coordination essential for improving Nigeria's approach to brain health. The summit's convener, Oluyinka Oyeniji, emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive national mental healthcare strategy that reflects the diverse experiences of Nigerians.

He mentioned ongoing efforts to establish a federal Mental Health Commission and noted that Lagos and Ekiti were the only states with existing mental health legislation. The summit took place as Nigerians continue to face various pressures that could impact their mental well-being, including property demolitions and difficulties providing for their families.