Expert decries stigmatisation of people with mental health conditions

Mon, Feb 10, 2020
By publisher
2 MIN READ

Health

A mental health expert, Dr. Chukwudi Nnedu, on Sunday decried the stigmatisation of people with mental health conditions by comedians, Nollywood actors, and actresses in Nigeria.

Nnedu, who works with the Uwadi Psychiatric Clinic, Urum in Awka, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that mental health conditions were being portrayed negatively in movies and comedy shows.

He said that such movies and shows had a strong influence on mental health, adding that this was why people with mental health conditions hid and refused to get medical help.

“Lots of people, including actors, actresses and comedians stigmatised people with mental health problems.

“They just call people ‘madman’ anyhow. They always abuse people on ‘Yaba Left’ and use them to crack jokes.

“Nollywood is also fond of stigmatising people with mental health issues too.  They portray them in a bad light and stigmatise them.

“They pass the wrong messages by making people believe that every mental illness is spiritual. We need the media to help disabuse the minds of people about this,” he said.

The psychiatrist said that there was a need for speedy passage of the Mental Health Bill still pending before the National Assembly to protect the mentally vulnerable people in the country.

He said there were different levels of mental disorder and people needed to be educated on mental health issues.

“I agree that there should be a proper portrayal of mentally challenged people by Nollywood and comedians. People need education and training on this,” he said. (NAN)

– Feb. 10, 2020 @ 9:29 GMT |

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