The Number To Call Is 112

Written by Temitope Adeiye, Volunteer Content Write at

As Nigerians, we tend to compromise on our mental wellness and resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms to suppress issues with our mental health. From making self-deprecating jokes to overcompensating with food to overindulgence in alcohol to drug usage, many Nigerians have a habit of distracting themselves from mental health issues rather than confronting them. This may be because trained professionals such as psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors aren’t easily accessible or affordable.

But it doesn’t have to be so. When the pandemic hit last year, many people could no longer pretend to be fine. We were dealing with extreme anxieties and worries- about catching the disease, about losing jobs, and about the loss of routine and normal life. This caused a lot of people to suffer emotionally and psychologically. The Mind Wheel project was started to provide support to such persons and since inception, has benefited about 5,000 persons- proving that you are not alone in this.

Recently, The Mind Wheel Project under the Sunshine Series-Mind Wellness launched a toll-free helpline 112 in conjunction with the government. If you’re in Abuja or the suburbs, you can call this number for FREE to speak with a trained professional counselor about any issues or challenges you’re facing mentally or psychologically.

Calls are 100 percent confidential and you can be rest assured that your conversation is protected by client confidentiality.

Mental Wellness is important and should be protected at all costs. You’re not truly healthy until both your physical and mental faculties are in optimal state. There’s no shame in seeking or needing help.

If you wouldn’t sit at home with a broken arm or a high fever, there’s no reason for you to sit at home when your mental health is taking a hit. In fact, the state of your mental health can affect your physical health. It can also impact your creativity, productivity and interpersonal relationships.

Many kinds of mental health disorders may affect the quality of your day-to-day life without proper diagnosis, treatment, and management. With cognitive behavioral therapy, and in some cases medication, you can achieve a normal life regardless of any disorder you may have.

And while it is true that persons suffering from mental health issues are stigmatized in Nigeria, most of it comes from a lack of awareness and ignorance. For many people, they assume it is a spiritual problem simply because they don’t understand it. Remember that smallpox used to be seen as punishment from the gods and there was even a god dedicated to the disease in the Yoruba pantheon!

People often fear what they don’t understand so it is up to you and I to demystify Mental Health issues by sharing correct information to educate people and eliminate the lack of awareness that contributes to stigmatization.

You can also educate yourself by taking charge of your mental health and immediately seeking professional assistance when you need it. The helpline is free and connects you with trained professionals who are equipped with the requisite skills, knowledge, and experience to assess your situation and provide immediate assistance.

Health is Wealth and Mental Health is important. Dial 112 to access a safe space today.