Residents of Rumuosi in Obio/Akpor Local Council of Rivers State were enlightened on how to access free mental healthcare during an awareness programme to mark World Mental Health Day in the community, themed “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”.

The outreach took mental health conversations to market women, mothers and men in an underserved community, where stigma, cultural misconceptions and limited information often stop people from seeking help.

The programme was supported by Edvance Consulting, Bobtech Services, DFC Africa MMA, The Night Nurse and the Rumuigwe Royal Family. It was held at the community town hall and built around the community itself, with stakeholders in the community providing some logistic support to make the event a success.

The facilitators used Pidgin English as tool of communication for better impact so that residents could understand the discussions. One of the facilitators, Awele Anetor Valerie, explained each topic to the audience. She also spoke on mental health problems in children, which she said can begin with conditions such as dyslexia, including how parents’ attitudes and favouritism could leave children feeling sad and hopeless.

One of the panelists, Ogechi Okparah spoke on lived experiences, focusing on women who push themselves through heavy domestic work, which could lead to mental stress and exhaustion.

President, Danamyte Fighting Champions, Chief Henry George Nkoro, spoke on access to care, aside sharing how grief after losing his wife left him sad and depressed. He also talked about how local support helped him recover.

The programme Convener, Silver Peniel Lale, spoke on myths, African beliefs and diagnosis. Her remarks followed a question from a guest who claimed about 50 per cent of mental health problems in Africa are caused by charm. She argued that mental health professionals are not asking anyone to dismiss African beliefs about depression, anxiety and hopelessness, but those beliefs can be considered after a diagnosis.