Doctor uses film for mental health awareness

Pinnacle Medicals Speakout initiative in conjunction with Derwin productions have come out with a movie, ‘Little Drops of Happy,’ to campaign for mental health awareness.

The movie which was produced and directed by Grace Edwin Okon premiered recently at Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos, features actors like Ayoola Ayoola, Osa, Ngozi Nwosu, Seun , Ijeoma Onyeato of Channels and Lisa Omorodion.

In the movie, Mano Ojo has to deal with domestic violence and the infidelity of her husband which leads to a series of challenges she has to confront and overcome. She is misunderstood and termed mentally deranged. Nevertheless, Mano in the midst of her chaotic experience of dealing with depression and post-partum depression, has to save not just herself , but her estranged husband as well, from his promiscuous stance.

Kadiri says she wants to change the narrative to let people know that mental illnesses are real just like hypertension and diabetes.

”And we need to show people empathy and give them support like we give people that have cancer,” she said.

“So, ‘Little Drops of Happy’ was borne out of the fact that we are seeing more cases of depression in Nigeria and suicide too. It covers mainly issues of depression, postpartum depression, that is common among women. It sends a strong message but in an entertaining way.”

Speaking further on the movie, Kadiri explained that ”depression is a medical condition, not a spiritual attack and the people should stop being in denial because it will not help in good treatment outcome, so, letting them know that depression is real but the good news is that depression is treatable.

“Apart from healthy diet, regular exercises, sleeping adequately, people need to get healthy support system around them because a healthy support system will help you seek for that much needed help if you cannot seek for help. And of course, if you have depression and the doctor says that you need medication, please take that medication will help you live a functional and productive life.

“So, management of depression are basically, counselling therapy, medication or the combination of all.

“The movie which is already in the cinemas nationwide is for people to understand that when you have these depressive symptoms do not go taking different concoctions thinking that it will help you it is another roadmap to addiction and substance addiction is more difficult to manage or treat that depression. So, go to the right place, the right people, the time is now.”

The Pinnacle Medicals Speakout initiative is a project of Dr Maymunnah Yussuf Kadiri, a consultant neuro psychiatrist and a mental health advocate who runs Pinnacle medical services limited.

source: Thenation