Dr Gbonjubola Abiri is a Consultant Psychiatrist, Managerial Psychologist, Professional Speaker and the Medical Director of Tranquil and Quest. She recently pioneered Nigeria’s first, one of a kind, Mental Health Advocacy Digital Network – ‘Mental Health TV with Dr G’ on YouTube.In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, the lady who is a Fellow of the West Africa College of Physicians (WACP), a member of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Employee Assistance Professional Association (EAPA) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) takes you into her world.
You have taken particular interest in mental health which led to seeking mediums to pass this message, how have you continued this drive?
When we say ‘there’s no health without mental health’, it’s not a cliche, it’s the truth. The reason we are able to do this interview is because we are both presently of optimal mental health. Seeing patients living with mental illnesses, and watching how it impacts negatively on their personal lives, relationships with family and friends, as well as their contributions to the environment can be disheartening. This is in addition to the toll it takes on their families, friends and loved ones is more than enough motivation to do the work. The drive is of course strengthened by the resolve to ensure mental health promotion and prevention of mental health disorders in the general population, while also ensuring that persons with mental disorders are given the best attention to manage their health so that they can live their best lives, in spite of their conditions.
You just launched a mental health TV (Dr G) on YouTube, what should we be expecting from it?
The Mental health with Dr G advocacy platform launched its newest project on the 10th of October which is the World Mental Health Day. Prior to now, my team and I had used engaging and innovative ways to target and reach our audience via videos, illustrative cartoons and posts to increase mental health awareness.
The platform, (Mental Health TV with Dr G) is to ensure continued conversations around matters bordering on mental health, from daily posts, cartoons, to talk shows, documentaries and interviews all informing and educating all and sundry irrespective of where they are in the world on all things mental health. The channel also encourages collaborative effort as it provides an avenue for other mental health professionals to put their content in there. Together we can do much.
Young people are having mental health issues from drug addiction. What has been your experience working with young people?
The issue of drug addiction is one conversation that I often say that we are not yet ready to have and a reality we are unlikely to be able to confront effectively.
A large number of the population especially youths are battling the issue of substance abuse disorders. The reason for this often times may be linked to dysfunctional family settings, traumatic life and adverse childhood experiences, the availability and euphoric effects of these substances, peer pressure as well as the exposure to vices from the other cultures as well.
Unfortunately it’s a conversation that people shy away from having, like the proverbial ostrich with head in sand.
Young people are quite impressionable so they could find themselves testing out different substances all in a bid to numb pain, escape harsh reality or please their friends. A trial then becomes a habit and thus constitutes a substance abuse problem. A lot more effort by all of us has to be put in place so that people especially young ones are aware of the dangers these substances poses to both body and mind. This will dissuade them from these habits.
What dreams did you have while growing up?
I had dreams to be able to help people out of the pain and suffering that diseases cause with the knowledge of medicine I would eventually have.
Tell us about your experience as Medical director at Tranquil and Quest and how this has influenced your personality today?
My position has helped me to appreciate that Leadership is not an easy feat.
It has helped me to learn to better manage myself and others, work as part of a team, and understand what motivates my staff as well.
The position has helped enrich my personality as I consciously and deliberately work in hand with my staff, putting their emotions and humanity into place as we strive to provide excellence in the field of Mental health.
I would say that so far, it has helped me appreciate the human mind more and the many wonderful things it can conceive and eventually achieve. This has inspired me to see to it that everyone I come across learns how important their mental health is even at the workplace.
What are some of the lessons learnt working on child and adolescent forensic mental health?
My work with children and adolescents in the juvenile justice systems opened up my eyes more to how traumatic the society can be and how trauma is a fact of life for even children.
I had the opportunity to interact with children from all walks of life who were from dysfunctional homes where parents did not want them, were unwilling to cater to them, or where caregivers showed them no love and affection.
Many ran away from home seeing the streets as a safe haven, while many became unruly, with parents unable to control them. For some others, in spite of being young, they had started to engage in crime or were used as tools of crime.
If you see these children as the windows to their families, you will understand how problematic the society is.
It further reinforces to me that we have to be intentional about our relationships as adults, about having children, about how we care for and nurture them and how we cater to their needs in general. Like Mahatma Gandhi said: “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.”
Tell us about the things that drives you?
Knowing that mental illnesses has nothing to do with age, gender, religion or social economic status makes it easy for me to want to tell people about their mental health. The ignorance about matters bordering on mental health is quite appalling and has reinforced negative stereotypes about the condition over the years. This of course affects the perception of people suffering from mental illness and their willingness to see help. This of course affects their quality of life, interactions with others and even job or financial opportunities.
These individuals can live and lead their best lives, in spite of their challenges.
To see my patients heal and get better is such a joy!
To see them reach their potentials in spite of their seeming limitations is bliss.
To have them engage in and enjoy thriving relationships as well as become productive and have a good quality of life is what I live for.
I am committed to ensuring because when people know better they will act better and be better.
What are some of the changes that you will like to see in the Nigeria today?
Firstly, I would like to see a Nigeria where mental health is given centre stage attention so that every individual is aware of how to ensure their best health.
We need to increase awareness about mental health issues while working hard at tackling stigma, discrimination and ignorance.
We need to get to a point where we understand that Mental health is everyone’s business, not just that of the professionals.
Of course, it will be my joy to see the Government passing the Mental Health Bill. This will ensure that the rights of persons with mental illnesses are protected and that they have access to quality care.
Did you have mentors at the beginning of your career?
I had mentors even before my career started. My father, Dr Tunde Babalola, a medical doctor himself was my first mentor as I admired his kindness, passion and dedication to work. While in medical school, I was looked up to by many senior colleagues and esteemed teachers. As my career started however, my mentors have become more of those in my area of study.
The place of mentors is invaluable as they guide, support, hold your hands, show you the ropes and encourage you on your journey. We all need mentors.
What advice do you have for young people about the current challenges in the economy?
I would like to say that as different challenges emerge in the country nearly daily and different unfavorable policies are enacted, we all must strive to stay positive and full of hope while we try to navigate our academics, careers, businesses and crafts, and never lose faith in ourselves.
There are lots of legitimate opportunities that young people can take advantage of. They should take advantage of trends that youths can understand such as social media influencing, the field of IT and even learning a skill. There are so many skills which seem so little but the returns can be enormous.
While it is not easy, they need to learn dignity in labour, patience, integrity and character as well, while also ensuring they remain in optimal mental health.