Dr Maymunah Says Suicidal As A diseases Can be Prevented
The producers, Pinnacle Medical Services Ltd. and Derwin Productions says the film is aimed at encouraging people to seek early help to prevent suicide and consequences of depression.
Speaking at the Premiere of the Movie in Lagos recently, Dr Maymunah Kadiri, a consultant neuro pyschriatrist said that depression was generally neglected condition, which could lead to a serious outcomes if not managed .
According to her there is need for people to know that mental illnesses are real just like hypertension and diabetes. People with mental illness or challenges should be shown love and empathy, they need to be given support, just like we give people those that have cancer.
So, it is important that people know that depression is real and the good news is that depression is treatable.
Kadiri, who owns Pinnacle Medical Services Ltd. and the producer of the movie said,“Little Drops of Happy’’ is one of our advocacy films in creating the much needed awareness on mental health and mental illnesses.The movie was borne out of the fact that we are seeing more cases of depression and suicide in Nigeria
The plot covers mainly issues of depression, especially postpartum depression, which is common among women.
“We advise that if one is at risk of depression or vulnerable, instead of getting to the state of managing it, you should speak out or seek help as a preventive measure; we must change the narrative,’’ she said.
She said that postpartum depression occurred in women soon after giving birth.According to her,symptoms may include depressed mood or severe mood swings, excessive crying, difficulty bonding with baby and withdrawal from family and friends Loss of appetite, excessive eating, inability to sleep, overwhelming fatigue, reduced interest in activities, intense irritability, anger , feelings of guilt or inadequacy, panic attacks and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide are also signs.
The psychiatrist said that depression was not a spiritual attack but a medical condition.She urged people to stop being in denial because it would not help in good treatment outcomes.
On the management of depression, she said, the management of depression include counseling therapy, medication or the combination of all. Apart from healthy diet, regular exercises and sleeping adequately,people need to get healthy support system around them.
This is because a healthy support system will help you seek for that much needed help, if you cannot seek it yourself.“And, if you have depression and the doctor says that you need medication, please take the medication; it will help you live a functional and productive life, Kadiri said.
Also,Ngozi Nwosu, one of the cast said, I believe that people should begin to learn how to speak out their challenges and minds because a problem shared is a problem solved.`If you are able to tell someone that for example,I have this recurrent headache, someone may provide a solution quickly,rather than bottling it up.“Forget about being mocked or laughed out, your mental health is more important; depression is real and it can lead to unpleasant outcomes,’’ Nwosu said.
Grace Edwin- Okon, the Director and Producer of the movie said,
Nigerians used to believe that depression and suicide are problems of the white people.
However, recently cases in the country have shown us that anyone can be affected.“Moreso, due to challenges like change in economic situations, unemployment, high cost of living, security challenges, unstable power supply, lack of basic amenities and others, people are likely to have more tendencies of depression.
On postpartum depression, some women develop that after birthing a child; in most communities, it is seen as a spiritual or witchcraft attack.
The truth is that it is just a medical condition that can be treated; people just need to understand the symptoms and help the women get through that stage,’’ she said.Osas Ajibade, who played the role of the lead actress,Mano Ojo , said, “The movie touches on depression and related mental disorders.“It has also been noticed that depression and suicide in Nigeria is becoming rampant; most people are in denial of their states and choose not to talk about it.
The movie tells the story of Mano Ojo who has to deal with the infidelity and domestic violence of her ‘actor’ husband; this leads to series of challenges she had to confront and overcome.
Her plight becomes too overwhelming to the extent she loses her poise; she is misunderstood and termed mentally deranged.
Nevertheless, in the midst of her chaotic and traumatic life of dealing with depression and postpartum depression, Mano wants to save, not just herself but her estranged husband from his promiscuous stance.
The movie sends a strong message but in an entertaining way,’’she said.The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the movie has its producer and director as Grace Edwin-Okon and Dr Maymunah Kadiri as its executive producer. The cast included Ngozi Nwosu, Mercy Aigbe, Osas Ajibade, Ijeoma Onyeator (News Anchor, Channels TV) , Ayoola Ayoola (MTN Project Fame,Past Winner), Lisa Omorodion and among others
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