#31for31: Mental health awareness with Dr. Gbonjubola

Nigerian doctor and psychologist, Dr. Gbonjubola Abiri has embarked on a series to create awareness for mental health in Nigeria.

According to her, about 450 million persons worldwide have a mental health disorder.

In order to achieve her goal, he embarked on a 31-day campaign where people across different "walks of life" get to discuss mental health(MH) in order to enlighting others based on their experiences.

Dr. Gbonjubola who is a consultant Psychiatrist, Managerial Psychologist, and the Medical Director of Tranquil and Quest Behavioral Health, Lagos.

As the world marks mental health disorder month of May, the entire 31 days, according to her, would be utilised to "ensure that the conversations around mental health are normalized and stigma is reduced to the barest minimum."

In an interview with our correspondent, she shared the vision and goal of the #31for31 and #mentalhealthwithdrgbonjubolaabiri campaign.

As an expert in the field of mental health, why did you think commemorating the month with your #31for31 will drive home your message?

"Over time, Mental Health has taken a back seat in our conversations. Not much focus and attention have been given to the topic by individuals, the community and even the government.

"In spite of the poor attention, mental health is a significant part of our lives and is a determinant of the quality of life of individuals. The WHO estimates that 1 in 4 persons at some point in their lives will develop Mental health or neurological disorder. In addition, about 450 million persons worldwide have a mental health disorder, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide.

"Unfortunately, however, 2/3rds of persons with the disorders who need help do not seek it from a professional due to ignorance, stigma, discrimination or lack of access to care.

"I decided to commemorate the Mental Health Awareness Month of May with a #31for31 #mentalhealthwithdrgbonjubolaabiri campaign. The drive featured distinguished individuals, experts and thought leaders who shared their perspectives on Mental Health.

"The goal was simple, and that was to ensure that the conversations around mental health are normalized and stigma is reduced to the barest minimum.

Please detail your activities for the month (You had experts from different fields speak on MH, mention them and what led to choosing them).

"I decided on a campaign tagged the #31for31, which was meant to commemorate the Mental Health Awareness Month as a means of increasing awareness about Mental Health issues.

"The drive featured a curated set of video clips of distinguished individuals speaking about their perspectives on Mental Health issues.

"These clips were shared on social media platforms of Instagram, Facebook and Twitter with the tag #31for31 #mentalhealthwithdrgbonjubolaabiri campaign.

"The theme for the month was kindness. Some Participants were further asked to share their experiences as to how kindness or the lack of it had impacted on their mental health.

"The drive had over 40 distinguished individuals from different walks of life and disciplines speaking about Mental Health issues either through their personal experiences of loss, forgiveness, depression, stigma, sexual and gender-based violence. Additionally, their disciplines of music, Fashion, Art, Advocacy, money, travel, marriage and others were also explored.

The Speakers included influencers and advocates such as "Busola Dakolo, Segun Awosanya (Segalink), Lanre ‘Eldee’ Daniel, Mocheddah Olateru Olagbegi, Chude Jideonwo, Gbemi Olateru Olagbegi , Folake Falana, Tonia Ojenagbon, Funmi Eko Ezeh, Akin Rotimi, Mohammed Yusuf Suleiman (Mowiz), Jayne A ( Fabmumng), Uche Okoro, Ibilola Olowokere, Gbenga Art Smith, Osasu Edobor, Ayo Sanusi, Steve Akinola ( Steeveane), Olaedo Emelie, Onimisi Adaba.

There are also musicians such as "Timi Dakolo, Ayo Vincent, and actors such as Kiki Omeili, Chinonso Arubayi, Christian Prince Ochiagah."

"We invited medical experts such as "Dr Ruth Arumala, Dr Ayobami Aranmolate ( Dr Laser), Dr Damian Avar( Sabi Doc), Dr Tochukwu Macfoy, Dr Linda Osuntade, Dr Femi Oladeji, Prof Sue Verma, Dr Ibukun Adedayo and Dr Adeola Olajide.

"The idea was to change the narrative from how Mental Health is often perceived as a taboo to be discussed, to having distinguished individuals speaking continuously on a daily basis for the 31 days of the Mental Awareness Month of May, about Mental Health issues hence, the drive was called the #31for31.

"The speakers were selected from diverse disciplines and were chosen largely because of the impact that their collective voices could have on such a laudable cause.

Moving forward, what has been the impact of the drive?

"The drive has been well received as commended as laudable. People reach out to me daily excitedly asking who is coming up next. They want to hear the next topic of discourse and what the next individual wants to say and teach them.

"Many others are able to relate to these conversations and are reaching out to talk about their Mental Health.

"With the #31for31, I have achieved my goal of getting people talking and increasing the awareness about Mental Health issues, changing the health-seeking behaviour as quite a number of people have reached out to me via these means to seek help from professionals.

"I have also tackled stigma and discrimination head-on as even people with mental illnesses shared their stories in a bid to give courage to others.

"It is my hope that as the days go by, we can consolidate on the gains made and that the momentum will be sustained and increased.

"Like Glenn Close says, ‘what mental health needs is more sunlight, more candour and more unashamed conversations about persons living with mental health problems and their families’."