“Light a candle, don’t curse the darkness”
- Chinese Proverb
A PERSONAL STORY:
It may be difficult to explain the motivation behind this work without taking into context, the tortuous path that led here. The path started with my decision to study medicine, after having already secured admission to study Engineering. It then touches on the choice of Psychiatry for postgraduate specialization. And finally, the shift of focus from pure clinical psychiatry to a public mental health approach; which has culminated in public engagements to change the narrative about mental health in Nigeria and beyond. Thus, my journey is summarized here, to provide context.
Having gained admission to study Mechanical Engineering and invested two years in that direction, at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria; I still agonized over my desire to become a medical doctor and help people who are sick, to recover and regain good health. I was further motivated by the sudden death of my eldest brother, Dr Yusuf Abdulmalik, at the age of 30 years. He was a brilliant doctor, and was on the verge of completing his training as a surgeon at the time of his demise. I had always looked up to him. The unanswered questions around his death, motivated me to want to follow his footsteps and try to ‘be like him’. So, I sat for the University entrance examinations again, for admission to study Medicine at the University of Ibadan. I was successful and duly graduated as a Medical Doctor.
Thereafter, I was not sure what area I wanted to specialize in, and even though my most enjoyable posting was Psychiatry, I did not give it much thought. I was leaning towards Pediatrics because I have always liked children. But my compulsory year of National Youth Service took me to Borno State, of North East Nigeria, where I was posted to the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital (FNPH), Maiduguri. And, that was the active beginning of my interest and love story with Psychiatry.
The FNPH Maiduguri was at that time, the only facility with psychiatric services for the entire 6 states of north eastern Nigeria. In addition, it received patients from communities across the neighbouring countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroun. Thus, the patient load was quite heavy and clinics took forever. I was particularly struck, by the personal stories of needless suffering, experience of stigma and discrimination, as well as human rights abuses of too many patients and their caregivers for my peace of mind. The ignorance and misconceptions around mental health issues were astonishing, and to my mind, were the major drivers of the abusive practices and the lack of service utilization (where available).
Unfortunately, we have very few mental health professionals (psychiatrists, clinical psychologists etc) in the country to provide the much-needed services and care. It was a no-brainer, that I opted to specialize in Psychiatry before the end of my Service Year.
My initial inclination was to focus on Child Psychiatry, but I quickly realized that the problems besetting our populace, go way beyond a narrow field of sub-specialization, or clinical practice – even though it was also important that we develop manpower in the various sub-specialties. I however, chose to engage more aggressively, in efforts towards ensuring that the greatest number of people gain access to the mental health services they need. And to push back against the ocean of ignorance around mental health matters; to combat stigma, discrimination and human rights abuses and to be a champion for mental health advocacy. Thus, I started contributing a weekly Mental Health Column for a national daily, the Nigerian Tribune on Thursdays. And I shared on social media and received in return, tons of inbox messages about problems and questions which I was glad to take on.
NOT A JOB FOR SINGLE INDIVIDUALS
The task of overcoming the pervasive ignorance and fear around mental illness; the stories of stigma, discrimination and human rights abuse; the lack of mental health legislation; the criminalization of attempted suicide; and so on. Promoting better understanding and encouraging empathy, understanding as well as use of mental health services….these are not tasks for any single individual or organization to actualize. It has to be a coalition of efforts, that will gradually change the tide, slowly but surely over time. The Asido Foundation aims to contribute her quota in this regard and synergize with other organizations and individuals to achieve the desired impact. All hands are needed on the deck.
ABOUT THE ASIDO FOUNDATION
The Asido Foundation is registered as a not for profit organization that aims to promote better understanding around mental health issues. We want to be the authentic site for the provision of reliable information about everything mental health – your mental health as an individual, that of your family, your work colleagues, friends, neighbours etc. We will be providing further details in smaller notes over the coming days.
WHAT TO DO?
Please share our social media handles: follow, like and share our releases via Instagram, twitter, and our facebook page (all @asidofoundation). For free and regular mental health education, please join our Telegram Channel, where we will be providing periodic conversations around mental health. Link here: https://t.me/asidofoundation
Will you not rather join us? Share, invite your friends and join the movement to push back against ignorance and discrimination against persons with mental illness and their families. Share your personal commitment on twitter and #asidofoundation.
APPRECIATION
This idea will not see the light of day if not for support, participation, and encouragement from several quarters. All our volunteers, from brilliant undergraduates to family, friends and colleagues….Thank you. We are just getting started.
(T)ogether, (E)veryone (A)chieves (M)ore = TEAM Asido Foundation.
Welcome.
Jibril Abdulmalik
Convener, Asido Foundation
