In Nigeria, the moment you say, “I’m not okay mentally,” people look at you like you’ve lost it. You’ll hear things like:
“Just pray about it.”
“You too dey overthink.”
“You’re too young to be depressed.”
“Are you mad?”
But here’s the truth — mental health is not madness. It’s your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. And just like malaria, it can break down if you don’t treat it properly.
Many young Nigerians are silently battling:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Burnout
- Trauma
- Addiction
And instead of help, they get shame.
We need to normalize checking in on our minds, the same way we check our phones. Go to therapy if you can. Talk to someone you trust. Rest. Cry if you need to. Journal. Log off social media when it gets toxic.
Mental health is not weakness. It’s not drama. It’s real — and you deserve peace.