Aki Urges Nigerians To Prioritise Mental Health
Nollywood actor Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly known as Aki, has called on Nigerians to prioritise mental health awareness.
The actor stated that emotional well-being is just as important as physical health and called for more advocacy.
He said, “We can’t take away mental health challenges from men and women. Either it’s issues from family or it’s personal battles within yourself as a result of the kind of environment you find yourself.
“It takes a lot to be a man. It’s your level of discipline and self-control that can determine your actions and reactions to the happenstance of life. Your emotions can be triggered by how you handle it. Regardless, speaking out to the appropriate body can reduce the pressure on one’s mental health.”
According to the actor, he recently attended a mental health conference in Namibia, organised by Echoes Africa Initiatives, a charity organisation based in New York, where he served as a guest participant.
Ikedieze said the event opened his eyes to the importance of emotional discipline and self-awareness in coping with life’s pressures.
“The awareness has really made me understand the craziest side of life, especially in the areas we most often neglect. It was my first time witnessing people, victims, and experts who took us through their ordeal and how solutions were proffered,” he said.
He added that the experience was worthwhile and encouraged more Nigerians to engage in open conversations about mental health, using platforms such as workshops and movies to reach wider audiences.
“Feed your mind with positivity. And please, do whatever makes you happy. Life has no duplicate!” Ikedieze advised.
Nigeria has in recent years witnessed a growing conversation about mental health, spurred by increasing cases of depression, anxiety, and suicide, particularly among young people and public figures.
Experts have consistently warned that the nation’s poor mental health awareness and inadequate access to care remain major barriers to addressing the crisis.
Celebrities have also begun to speak up about their struggles and the need for empathy.
Nigerian singer Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk, popularly known as Iyanya, urged fans to be more understanding of celebrities, reminding the public that fame does not shield them from emotional struggles.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) page, the Your Waist crooner described the life of a celebrity as “a double-edged sword.”
“We need to understand that celebs are humans with deep feelings and struggles like everyone else. Beyond the media glamorisation of their lives and personalities is a human simply asking and wishing, and yearning to be human like the rest of us. It is a double-edged sword,” Iyanya wrote.
Ikedieze’s call adds to the growing advocacy for mental health awareness among Nigerian entertainers, many of whom are now using their platforms to encourage open dialogue and emotional support within society.