5 MINUTES WITH DR MAYMUNAH YUSUF KADIRI

“Our sons have been victims of SARS brutality, humiliation, fear, extortion and life cut short, they’re our leaders of tomorrow, they’re our future, they are our dreams, our hope, our strength, our pride, our lives. We Mothers live in fear because of these demons called SARS, this has to stop, we say NO to SARS, on behalf of the association of Mothers in Nigerian we say #endsars #endpolicebrutality #endpoliceviolence”

Dr Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri, a multiple award winning mental health physician and advocate, is popularly known as the 'celebrity shrink. She's also the founder of Pinnacle Health Radio Africans, a #1 online health radio and NGO, geared towards creating mental health literacy in Nigeria and beyond. Kadiri is also the only Nigeria with the 11Ps which Includes Physican, psychiatrist., psychologist, psychotherapist, practitioner public speaker publisher, producer; parent people oriented and passionate about God. She's also a staunch Muslim happily married and blessed with three lovely children. She recently spoke to Guest Correspondent, AZUKA OGUJIURA about the mental health a lot of Nigerians over the #end sars protests and shootings at the Lekki Toll gate.

People, wrongly or rightly, assume that mental health is an ‘indulgence’ of sorts especially when everything else seems to be going on well for the person. Why is it such a misunderstood ailment?

Mental health disorders fall under the umbrella of misunderstood aliments because for all we know, there are no physical connotations and most people tend to believe only what they see. So for example, if someone has an accident and breaks a leg, that would be visible in their cast during the healing period, maybe some scars and also limping. In this case, people are most likely to rally around to help this person through any difficulties. However, the reverse is the case for mental health and mental illnesses where people are in ‘silent’ depression because even if they dared attempt to share, it would highly likely be met with disbelief, stigma, discrimination and isolation. It is further made worse when people who are expected to have it all together are suffering from depression or any other form of mental illnesses.

Is it right to assume also too that something is what usually triggers this ailment?

Most medical conditions, the cause is unknown and this also goes with mental illnesses. Aside from that, mental illness itself do have known causes which occurs from the interaction of multiple genes and other factors, such as stress, sexual abuse, or a any form of traumatic event ,which can influence, or trigger an illness in a person who has an inherited susceptibility to it. So yes, we can not only assume, but certain factors, as evidences do show, can trigger mental illness. It is also revealed that certain infections, brain defects injury, pre-natal damages, substance abuse, having relationships and financial challenges, and many other factors such as exposure to toxins like lead, poor nutrition and so on, also play a role in triggering mental illness. Sometimes. It can be the death of a loved one, job dissatisfaction, underemployed, unemployment among other environmental factors.

People go through phases of loneliness/financial challenges/unstable well-being and other issues that makes one sad which is a natural reaction to

such issues. But at what point does one realize they have crossed the line between normal reaction and a mental health situation?

Yes. All these outlined issues are generally normal things people go through at one point or the other in their lives. It can still be termed normal when all these does not affect or interfere with the individual’s functionality in carrying out their daily activities, interpersonal relationships and productivity. There is a thin line between normal and abnormal. The point people should realize they need help when it’s no longer a normal reaction and the following issues occur such as persistent sadness (not for a day or two), but for a continuous period of two weeks and more. This also goes with low energy level, loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities, poor sleep and appetite, likewise excessive sleep and appetite, poor concentration and attention. This can progress to a severe form where the individual begins to experience feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, helplessness leading to suicidal behaviour. Some individuals can begin to hear strange voices, see strange things and become suspicious of people or things around them. Once this interferences occur, then it is time to realize that the individual has crossed normality, and help is needed to address the problem.

With the pulse of the nation at the moment, people are naturally upset at the turn of events. Many parents/children/families/relatives have gone through emotional and financial upheavals which has dampened their spirits to no end. What is the best mental approach to take at this point in tome?

Best mental approach to take to boost the low morale affecting us a Nation is to imbibe Dr May’s SELFCARE tips as all should know that Self Care is NOT Selfishness, but Self Preservation that helps protect our Sanity.

S: Self Awareness

This is the first rule of self care - being self aware. This makes you know and recognize your stressors and triggers. Find what they are and take the necessary steps in managing them for a more impactful journey in your pathway to wellness.

E: Exercise

A very recognized and well researched way of boosting the feel good hormones (Endorphins) that can help manage your stress, including mild cases of anxiety and depression.

L: Limit Excessive Exposure To Media

News and social media can affect your health not in only good ways, but also bad ways that impact your mental health. Fake news kill. Scheduling your exposure to this powerful tool can help to keep you emotionally grounded.

F: Find and engage in pleasurable activities and hobbies. These activities will make you more relaxes

and discover joy amidst the chaos.

C: Connect With Loved Ones

Connecting with loved ones, friends and colleagues is an important component of being human. We all need social interaction to be happier and wellrounded.

A: Ask For Help

The ability to ask for help when needed is a sign of strength, not weakness. So from today, don’t feel shy

to ask for help.

R: Rest/Sleep

Learn to rest regularly, there is NO award for the busiest person. Adequate rest and sleep keeps you rejuvenated, renewed and more productive.

E: Eating Right

Nothing beats eating right and ensuring your body receives the right nutrients. This boosts your immunity and fights diseases. Don’t only eat right to loose weight, eat to stay healthy - that’s the goal.

If you are still feeling sad, anxious, depressed, having panic attacks or experiencing any other emotional issues, kindly reach out to a mental health professional today. You can also call our TOLL FREE LINE, 0-8000-SPEAKOUT at Pinnacle Medical Services or call 0809-065-5350 for psychosocial support.

How do you explain the plight of the nation to the much younger ones without inciting fear into them?

Best way to go about this is to;

First try and see through the eyes of the young ones, because the way they perceive situations most times can be amazing.

Try to feel what they are feeling (empathy) and let them see that you feel their pains. By so doing, everyone will come to terms and fear of any kind will be alleviated

Use how you feel, to address the plight of the nation to them, in such a way that they will know you are aware of what they are also passing through and what they are trying to communicate. Make them understand that we are collectively traumatized and we all need each other in our pathway to healing it recovery.

Constant reassurance is also very important when it comes to explaining the nation’s plight, as the younger ones don’t have the time to slow things down, as they are energetic and are always eager to see the result or evidence of what you promised. Therefore as you reassure them, make them see that you are trying your best to make a visible and positive change.

Listen to them non-judgementally by doing this, you will understand more about what they want.

It is high time, as a country, we begin to build a culture of compassion where we create safe spaces for people, especially our young ones to express themselves. Psychologically, they are the therapy generation and are changing the narrative in behaviors for mental health services. We need all hands on deck to make these safe spaces free from criticism, no judgement passed on any one and people wouldn’t be apostolic towards others.

There was a video going around of a woman whose child described the racism he experienced at schools and she begged the government to make Nigeria so she and her child can live in a country where his colour would not be an issue. What was most heartbreaking was watching the boy cry because his mother was crying even though he was too young to understand her message. What could this mother have done better to keep the child in a better place mentally?

It is good for us to know that half of all mental illnesses start before the age of 14 and two-third before the age of 24. With this in mind, we need to be emotionally present for our children by helping them build good self esteem, self worth and self confidence. In as much as the act of racism can be daunting on the individual’s mental health, this boy can experience emotional and mental health distress such as anxiety, fear, anger, low self esteem among other issues due to this unpleasant situation.

We all need to realize that not everything is for the public. The internet never forgets. Videos such as this can come up in the future affecting this boy negatively. In difficult times as this, parents need to build good home climate for their children that is free from stress or highly minimized stress and full of laughter and hope. We should let our children to be children and protect them from the many negative vices occurring in our society. We owe them that.

These unprecedented items will come and go and our children wouldn’t know how we were affected politically, mentally, economically and otherwise. What they will remember is how we made them feel. As parents, let’s make it count.

For the youths who are so despondent about the turn of events and live in dread of what their future holds for them, what advice can you give to boost their morales?

What the youth need to keep their morals high in a time like this, is simply learning to have a positive mindset about their future despite the situation on ground and that of the nation, no matter how dim it may look. The truth is, in a matter of time, the positive, promising future and change desired will surely emerge. All they need is to continue to do what they know how to do best, to make themselves happy amidst the chaos and keep their hope and head high always until they achieve their goals. They should never ever give up in their pursuit for a better life. In our collective desire for a great Nation, we need all hands on deck, because together, we are stronger.

What words of inspiration will you like to part with for our leaders of tomorrow?

As a leader, it’s a personal journey to be more intentional, deliberate and to practice the behavior you want others to follow. To preserve what it is to be human, our leaders of tomorrow should understand that the strongest driver of leadership and personal excellence is emotional intelligence. They should remember that having a bad day does not mean having a bad life. Never, ever give up in their pursuit for greatness.

As a mental health professional, looking at the divide between govt and its people, what stringent steps will you advice the govt to take in addressing mental health issues?

The recent unrest and the COVID-19 global pandemic issues facing the nation has surged the prevalence of mental health issues. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to some available mental health services or even how to seek psychological and mental help.

For example, since the declaration of the COVID-19 global pandemic by WHO, and now the aftermath of the protest, our center, Pinnacle Medical Services is catering to over 60,000 Nigeria employees and their relatives. This is a huge progress from what it used to be before.

Government should therefore invest in the following so that mental health services will be available, accessible, affordable and acceptable to the people.

1. Pass the mental health bill into an act as soon as possible.

2. Increase the budgetary allocation for the health sector.

3. Ensure the National health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) covers more people nationwide as against about 10% coverage we have now.

4. Invest in our primary healthcare centers by bringing in the PPP, public private partnerships.

5. Invest in the human resources unit of the health sector by providing better welfare packages.

6. Continuous public enlightenment and education on our mental health... so, Advocacy, advocacy, advocacy. This helps to start the conversation surrounding mental health and illnesses, amplifies our voices, change the narrative, normalize mental health issues and subsequently, encourage help seeking behaviour.