MUST WE ALL RUN “MAD” FIRST?

~3  mins read 
Often times we assume that only the Unclad people on the streets are mad but recent studies have proved our guesses wrong as depression that leads to madness comes in form of persistent sadness, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, guilt, restlessness, loss of interest in activities including sex, fatigue, decreased energy, and difficulty in concentration, insomnia or excessive sleep, overeating, loss of appetite, thoughts of suicide, persistent ache or pain.

Looking at the trends around the world, from the socioeconomic crisis to political upheavals and the rising profile of insecurity in Africa, Middle East, Asia, Europe the mental health implications become more glaring than two years back when I wrote this article. For example, In Nigeria, the economic recession has crisis is affecting almost everything, staple food items is skyrocketing on a daily basis, companies are either down sizing staffs or closing due to loss or high cost of materials. How about at family and individual level? The tales of each household is peculiar but the experiences is the same-" heart wrenching".

So I decided to share this article again with the hope that It will rekindle our interest on the underlying mental health effects of activities in our immediate communities and the next as well as the next. This is also an opportunity for some of my friends/new connections who may have missed this. Continue reading below. Don't forget to share your comments, views or personal experience at the comment box or via email. Enjoy.

February 27, 2015 was just like every other busy morning in the metropolitan city of Ikeja- Lagos, Nigeria; suddenly a lady “runs mad” on the way to her work. 

An eye witness “caught a glimpse of her eyes before she crossed the road. She looked “normal”. She was well dressed like someone going to the government office nearby. And then, she just snapped!!!”

In another story, a passenger on a motorbike suddenly “runs mad” and started stripping himself in public at Ajegunle area of Lagos State at midday. He suddenly started shouting and ordered the rider of the commercial motorbike to stop.

An eye witness said: “Before anyone could bring cold water to sprinkle it on his head, he began to remove his clothes very fast and also pull off his pant. He started to run and we gave him a hot chase so that he would not enter the market. He even bit someone after they managed to apprehend him. Later, he began to say incoherent things"  

The two people in the above stories looked and dressed like any other so called “normal” people in any continent before they suddenly “ran mad”. They never envisioned such heartbreaking life-changing experience. It could also happen to any “normal” person out there.

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So must we all “run mad” first before we pay urgent attention to our mental health just like we make conscious effort to maintain be physically healthy?

It is important to examine the role that we need to play in our own lives in order to stay mentally healthy.However, mental health is not only an issue for individuals, it is an issue that we as a community must begin to address.

We all have a role to play in our homes, schools, workplaces, streets, shops and social environments to ensure that our interactions with other people are ones that help them to feel safe and connected. We have a role to ensure that all people, regardless of age, race, culture, sexuality, disability, or income are able to participate in community events and feel that they belong. To do so will ensure that we all stay mentally healthy.

 We now need to start looking at mental health in a different way.Understanding the meaning of “madness”, well-being and health will provide a holistic view of mental illness and the need to change stereotypes about mental illness and take charge of your mental health.

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