Dr. Maymunah Kadiri is a consultant Neuro-Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist & Mental Health Advocate. As Managing Director, Pinnacle Medical Services Ltd, she is involved in giving mentally ill people a new life.
In this interview with
Yetunde Oladeinde,
She talks about projects carried out, challenges and the fact that the cost of untreated mental health runs into billions every year.
How would you describe the importance of mental health to the society?
Just as physical fitness helps our bodies to stay strong, mental fitness helps us to achieve and sustain a state of good mental health. When we are mentally healthy, we enjoy our life and environment, and the people in it. Nurturing our mental health can also help us combat or prevent the mental health problems that are sometimes associated with a chronic physical illness. In some cases, it can prevent the onset or relapse of a physical or mental illness. Managing stress well, for instance, can have a positive impact on heart diseases.
Mental health is “a state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.
WHO stresses that mental health “is not just the absence of mental disorder.” Mental health problem can happen to anyone at some point, which can affect his or her daily life, relationships or physical health.
Mental health is important because it causes a heavy burden; it impedes the achievement of other health and development targets. It also contributes to poverty and differentially affects the poor. It has intrinsic value as does physical health.
The reasons mental health problems develop are complex. Studies in Nigeria have revealed prevalence rates of about 20-28% for diagnosable psychiatric conditions in the general population. This means that there are, at least 25 million people who would benefit from mental health services in Nigeria.
The cost of untreated mental illness to the Nigerian economy is estimated to run into billions of naira every year. Stigma remains a serious problem, with many cases of human rights violations, such as, chaining or beating, experienced by people with mental illness.
As Nigerians, we should be aware that 1 out of every 4 of us will develop mental health problem in his life-time. So, we NEED to take our health, not only mental health seriously.
Three important ways to improve your mental fitness are to get physical, eat right, and take control of stress.
What inspired you to go into this field?
I have always wanted to be a doctor who will deal with anything connecting to the brain, not exactly psychiatry. In my high school days, I thought of forensic medicine, neuro-surgery, still not Psychiatry. Maybe, I didn’t know the exact name then. Even while in the medical school, it was still not clear to me. This became clearer during our Psychiatry posting which is usually 4-6 weeks. After this, I SAID YES, this is it. The truth is, it’s a very short posting, but for me, it was what I needed at that time, aside the interesting nature.
When I then told my family about doing my residency in Psychiatry, it was a BIG war. My dad had a family meeting. He tried all he could to convince me to accept other areas of specialty such as maternal and child health. He even went to the extent of telling me there is NO mad person in our family, etc. But I’m glad today that not only him, but a large number of my family members are “Psychiatrists by Association” and strong advocates of mental health home and abroad. To me, that is a great motivation to continue.
Psychiatry or Mental Health is the medicine of the PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE. It’s all about your biology, which writes your biography.
Currently, I run Pinnacle Medical Services Limited, a health and wellness centre dealing in psychological, mental, emotional and behavioural health related problems. It is a 24-hour service for counseling, psychotherapy, and treatment for psychological and mental health issues.
Tell us about some of the projects that you have participated in?
I will say when it comes to mental health; our projects are on-going. I run an organisation, “SPEAKOUT INITIATIVE” and I also work on various projects with other organisations. The yearly GT BANK AUTISM awareness which has been on for the past 4 years. Also, other organisations dealing on child sexual abuse, violence against women, rape among others. Primarily, our organisation, the SPEAKOUT INITIATIVE which is geared towards creating awareness on psychological and mental health-related problems in Nigeria and beyond is my focus for now. We have been to various schools to speak on a variety of emotional and psychological issues. We also organise seminars and workshops on a monthly basis at our facility. A lot of pro bono health talks to various organisations, too many to mention. During our rally last year at the University of Lagos, we found out that two of their students have committed suicide and one was currently on admission after attempting to take his life. Suicide is no longer an ‘oyibo problem;’ it’s high time we realised that the challenges are increasing and some people can’t cope with them. If you have a psychological problem, deal with it, rather than trying to bind and cast it away. It will be my joy when Nigerians come to the realisation that mental health is OUR health, not a separate entity.
We have recorded a lot of success stories on these different platforms. For example, we have taken mentally ill people off the streets, rehabilitated and equipped them with skills for them to be economically buoyant enough. Those on medications still receive them on the need basis with regular follow up. Unfortunately, due to STIGMA, these individuals don’t want to come out publicly to inspire others to SPEAKOUT.
What are some of the memorable moments in your career?
My ability to take that bold decision to follow my dream by becoming a SHRINK/PSYCHIATRIST is one. A lot has happened during my career path and a lot still to come. Hmmm…my ability to finish the residency programme within the required time frame, and of course being a wife, mother, and career woman in addition. My leadership skills which were tested as president of the Resident Doctors Association in my hospital. Now breaking all barriers to set up a private facility dealing on psychological and mental health-related issues after gaining the much needed skills from two prestigious business schools in the world… And more. Of course, that teary memorable moment when you manage a vagrant psychotic patient (popularly referred to as a mad man on the street), who has been roaming the streets for years and he then turns out to be one “handsome dude,” with a profitable business and a family to call his own.
How does mental health affect women?
The World Health Organization defines health as a complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Women’s health involves the emotional, social, and physical well-being and is determined by the biological, social, political, and economic context of their lives. However health and well-being eludes the majority of women and even more so, black women. Depressive disorders account for close to 41.9% of the disability from Neuropsychiatric disorders among women compared to 29.3% among men. Leading mental health problems of the elderly are depression, organic brain syndromes and dementias. A majority are women. An estimated 80% of 50 million people affected by violent conflicts, civil wars, disasters and displacement are women and children. In women age 15-44, unipolar depression was the leading cause of disease burden in both developed and developing countries. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder ranked top ten leading cause of burden for women age15-44 years.
However, the multiple roles that they fulfil in society render them at greater risk of experiencing mental problem than others in the community. Mental disorders related to marginalisation, powerlessness, and poverty along with over-work and stress are growing concerns for women. Yet there is a significant gap between the mental health resources that black women need and the resources that actually exists. Women bear the burden of responsibility associated with being wives, mothers and carers of others.
In addition to the many pressures placed on women, they must contend with significant gender discrimination and the associated factors of poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. An extreme but common expression of gender inequality is sexual and domestic violence perpetuated against women. These forms of socio-cultural violence contribute to the high prevalence of mental problem experienced by women. All these can CHANGE by starting the movement from us as individuals that form the members of the society.
Do you feel the government is doing enough?
Public awareness on mental health is NOT solely a government matter; it involves each and every one of us. Right now, our biggest issue is that we don’t have a Mental Health Act. We are still using the Lunacy Act, which is outdated. Having an act will make the practice of mental health services better; more accessible and with many more benefits for all Nigerians.