A Recap on the Art as Therapy Discussion Held in Lagos by the Organisation 16/16

16/16 hosted a panel discussion between artists and mental health and wellbeing professionals in the quest to discern the positive mental health benefits of art therapy. These are some highlights. This was the first event in a series of workshops, exhibitions and creative interactions that will revolve around the issue of mental health, with a strong focus on the Nigerian situation. Panelists: Stacey Okparavero- visual, spoken word and performance artist whose works focus on release of emotions and feelings Aàdesokan- abstract artist whose works deal with how the mind is constantly evading itself Dr. Ulrike Schmueser- a highly experienced psychologist currently residing in Lagos, Nigeria Oyinda Fakeye- Founder, Sound Mind Africa, an organisation concerned with the distribution of information and advice relating to mental and emotional wellbeing in Nigeria. Gina Amama- host of ARISE 360 and the mediator of the panel A live painting session by both participating artists followed the panel discussion.

Silence and the Sufferer

Silence and the Sufferer from Furaha Rooshie Asani on Vimeo.

"I came across this video some time last year and have been meaning to share it, I hope it touches the creatives out there, as it did me." Oyindamola Fakeye, Founder Sound Mind Africa You can read more on the video here: Silence & the Sufferer

Sound Mind Africa Partner with Spa Pampering at Home to run Mindfulness and Meditation Class in Lagos

Date: 24th June 2017
Time: 6pm
Cost: N6000

Sound Mind Africa have partnered with Spa Pampering at Home to facilitate 'Silence' a Mindfulness and Meditation class which provides an introduction to building a personal practice. Covering guided meditation, self love, gratitude and mindfulness the course empowers each participant with the tools needed to meditate and lead are more mindful lifestyle.

For more information and to register call: +234 8177257790

May Edition of Umbrella Men's Mental Health Support Group This Sunday 28th May 2017

DATE: Sunday May 28th 2017
TIME: 2:00 PM
VENUE: Surulere (Full Address given following registration)
REGISTRATION: mhspa.projectgetnaked.com

Group therapy can give you insights and new perspective to what you're going through and can also provide you with solutions, tips and other supportive methods during conversations and listening to others share in a safe space.UMBRELLA (Men's only support group) provides a safe and private environment as well as atmosphere for you to unburden yourself and share without prejudice.  What you say in group therapy stays in group therapy — it's all confidential and we are a stickler for this rule.


Guidelines: 

• If you wish to bring a friend, sibling, colleague along, please have them register or register for them.
• This email is not for onward forwarding. It is directed at you.
• It is okay if you do not wish to share at your first attendance at UMBRELLA. Get comfortable, we are always here.
• UMBRELLA is a private support group. Everything shared during UMBRELLA sessions are highly confidential. 
• If you wish to have a one-on-one session after the support group, please indicate.
• Exact address will be conveyed in reminder email and texts.

MH-SPA (Mental health support for persons affected) is brought to you by @ProjectGetNaked in partnership with SheWritesWoman.org & Doctoora.com

Please ensure you read the full MH-SPA rules and guidelines on the sign up page - mhspa.projectgetnaked.com

Hope Visits Yaba Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital 29th April 2017

"The second edition of #HopeVisits was an overwhelming success. We took a risk and because of you, it paid off. We did not do the usual - show up, give food, drop clothes and be on our way. We did so much more. HOPE demands that we do so much more. This time, we the hope bearers stormed 'Yaba Left' with lots of fruits, drinks and food. We put smiles on the patients' faces as they watched The Wedding Party (just picture it). We actually sat down with them and had conversations about life, challenges and their message to the world. Because of you, we touched over 379 lives at Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba with goody bags containing toilet paper, bathing and washing soap, sponge, deodorant, sanitary toilet, and so much more."

Hauwa Ojeifor

2016 World Mental Health Day Theme 'Psychological First Aid'

When terrible things happen in our communities, we can reach out a helping hand to those who are affected. Perhaps you find yourself at the scene of an accident where people are hurt. Perhaps you are a health-care worker or teacher talking with someone from your community who has just witnessed the violent death of a loved one. Perhaps you are called upon as a staff member in a disaster or volunteer to help asylum seekers who have recently arrived in your community. Learning the basic principles of psychological first aid will help you to provide support to people who are very distressed, and, importantly, to know what not to say.

The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day, observed on 10 October, covers “psychological first aid”. Efforts in support of the day will focus on basic pragmatic psychological support by people who find themselves in a helping role whether they are health staff, teachers, firemen, community workers, or police officers.

 

'Safe Place' The First Women's Only Mental Health Support Group In Nigeria

Finally there is a Safe Place you can talk without fear and be heard without judgement. She Writes Woman presents the first mental health support group in Nigeria. With an increase in the suicide rate in Nigeria, untreated cases of mental disorders, coupled with high cost of Cognitive Behavioural Therary (CBT) and medications, support groups have proven to be a cheaper alternative for people living with mental disorders, and those caring for them.

Safe Place is a stigma-free environment where the above mentioned groups share ideas, information and tips for the benefit of the group. It promises to offer help and hope for warriors of mental health by drawing strength from the group, accountability partners, group exercises and much more. We believe that help is near and hope is real. We are a community in healing, holding each others hands on the road to recovery.

Need a Safe Place? Sign up here - Https://goo.gl/forms/E65tKx3jQf9xxg163

Sound Mind Africa'There is Hope There is Help' message for Suicide Prevention Day 2016

I was saddened to hear of two suicides in the same day here in Lagos. Both men, both dealing with a sense of hopelessness both determined to end their lives. Unfortunately countless women and men are turning to suicide as an answer to their problems.

I do not know these men nor do I know how long they battled with their decision to give up on life, but I do understand that we are going through a season of troubled times and for some, life's burdens can seem unbearable.

The truth is that nothing lasts forever. Situations change, feelings evolve and often with time comes the answer to our troubles. My hope is to do what is in my power to steer anyone in a similar situation towards help. As such feel free to share the details of organisations ( I can vouch for)and help me to build up a more comprehensive guide by emailing me at soundmindafrica@gmail.com

Self Help Resources:

1. Shadow's in The Mirror by Dr Vivian Ikem
Online Purchase:
Konga

Retailers:
Quintessence Park View Lagos Nigeria

OBGLR D16 Eko Court, Kofo Abayomi, Lagos Nigeria

2. Dream Chaser... The power of Purpose and Self esteem
E-course: CourseCraft

3. Depression Test
Free online Test: Do I have Depression?

Helpline:

She Writes Woman Helpline: +234 8174913329

Mental health Professionals:

1. Dr Ayomide Adebayo
docayomide.com

2. Dr Maymuna Kadiri
Pinnacle Medical Services
08099731259; 08033043863
5, Gbangbala Street Off Oba Elegushi Street, Ikate, Lekki Pennisula, Lagos Nigeria


I will endeavor to update this list regularly:

If you or anyone you know have any other recommendations please do email me at soundmindafrica@gmail.com and I will update the list upon confirming the merit of each organisation.

Simple Techniques to Leading a Positive Life Through Mindfulness

Studies have shown that most people are either thinking about past events or planning for the future and this thought process can account for up to 45% of all our day to day thoughts. How crazy is it that almost 50% of of our lives are spent outside of the moment. Maybe its why we have come to love the Snapchat and Instagrams' of the world, as we can revisit the moments we mentally weren't being present in?

A great way to cultivate an emotionally and mentally healthy lifestyle is through the practice of Mindfulness. Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. Involving the observation of ones' thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Living mindfully means to live in the moment, fully aware of the present experience.

Mindfulness does not require you to make a total life overhaul, we can all benefit from slowing down and truly being aware of our current experiences. Just small changes here and there can bring about greater positivity and peace of mind. Those of us (myself included) who are prone to anxiety, stress or depression about an uncertain future or a longing for the past can set ourselves the daily task of being more mindful and see the benefits begin to manifest.

If you are a complete beginner in the school of Mindfulness, Leo Babauta of  Zen Habits, has broken down 12 mindful techniques into practical applicable steps below:

1. Meditation. Meditation is where mindful living starts. And it’s not complicated: you can sit still for even just 1 minute a day to start with (work up to 3-5 minutes after a week), and turn your attention to your body and then your breath. Notice when your thoughts wander from your breath, and gently return to the breath. Repeat until the minute is up.

Your Diet & Your Mind With Sasa's Kitchen

The role our diets play in promoting good mental health is often over shadowed by the emphasis currently place on  prescription (or self) medication and to a lesser extent counselling. Having a balanced diet does wonders for improving behavioural and emotional cognition.

Sasa's Kitchen provides innovative ideas to traditional African cuisine. They have a penchant for using healthy, fresh and non GMO produce. Saratu Bantu the lead chef talks through her experiences with the topic of mental health and shares an easy recipe for our readers to recreate at home.

Mental illness is something we don't discuss where I come from. It is something other people have; it is not an African illness. One isn't allowed to feel sad or down let alone display mental illness. "What do you have to be sad about when you have more than most people in the country?" You will find people asking especially the older folks. "You have God by your side, no weapons fashioned against you shall prosper, amen", they continue. "Ah! I didn't hear you say amen", they frown.

Living With a Black Dog

As we edge closer to Mental Health Day 2014 its important to highlight some of the important issues surrounding Mental Health, one such issue being that of depression.



Depression is a state many can relate to either in small doses and in some cases much more acute episodes. At times we do not know what the best course of action is when we are faced with or are living with someone who is battling through it. The World Health Organisation has developed a simple yet informative guide to offer some assistance.

Being stressed can make you fat. FACT!

Majiri Otobo from LuvMeandMy

In our day-to-day hustle and bustle, we sometimes do not realise how dealing with, let’s call them life’s challenges, affects both our mind and body. Being calm not only gives you peace, but also triggers certain signals to your body allowing it to focus its energy on key body functions.

Evidently our body is an amazing machine designed by nature. Our buildings, jobs, cars, roads are all human construct that have effected the way we interact with our environment. Our bodies were designed for a world where there were potentially fewer things to be stressed over with more disastrous consequences.

So a bit of traffic or your boss being a bit of an @&£ would be significantly low on the stressor list in comparison to becoming Mufasa’s lunch (Mufasa, THE Lion King ….for adults who no longer use Disney references).

Survival would be the ultimate reason for stress if we lived like the cavemen did.  Our bodies, would therefore use the bio-chemical signals of stress to make sure it stores as much energy in our body as fat in order to prepare for the perceived threat of a “famine”. Therefore when we are stressed our bodies make us fatter to protect us.

People Don’t Get Depressed in Nigeria

Essay from the print issue of 120 Granta: Medicine.

Culled from http://www.granta.com/New-Writing/People-Dont-Get-Depressed-in-Nigeria

It is a cold January morning and I am sitting in a cafe on a busy London street. Looking out of the window, I watch people bustle determinedly along the pavement. I remember how my English friends used to complain that I walked too slowly when I first arrived in London. I thought they walked too fast, but now, in the chill of winter, I find myself quickening my own pace and lengthening my strides, eager to get back to warmth. I unfold the newspaper that I’ve found lying on the table and struggle to keep the still-unfamiliar, outsized pages from encroaching upon the space of the people seated at the tables next to me. I open the newspaper and the word ‘Nigeria’ catches my eye. It is funny how my mind always, almost unconsciously, seems to seek that word out whenever I am reading a paper. Sometimes I am fooled and the reference is to Nicaragua, but this time my eyes have found a worthy target. It’s a feature on the young British Nigerian novelist Helen Oyeyemi in which she speaks of her struggle with depression in her teenage years and the difficulty her parents faced with understanding it. ‘Because people don’t get depressed in Nigeria,’ she says. ‘They were like, “Cheer up, get on with it.”’

The black words sliding over the page carry me back in time to another place, where I too, like Helen’s parents, believed that people don’t get depressed in Nigeria.

It has been a hot night; much of it spent rolling away from the concrete against which my bed is pushed. The walls, retaining the fiery, dry heat from the sun of the previous day, burn with an intensity that seems to scorch my skin when, in my fitful sleep, I roll to the edge of the bed closest to them. I have woken up with a start several times, finally dozing off in the early hours of the morning.

I wake up to a clucking sound outside my bedroom window. It is guttural, low-pitched, and there is a rustling in the fields of guinea corn that stand sentry immediately outside our low-eaved modern I am likita – Hausa for doctor – and I am twenty-seven years old, freshly qualified from medical school in southern Nigeria bungalow. I walk to the window and peer through the grimy glass louvres, past the hole-ridden metal mosquito netting, and see a herd of cattle making its gentle, almost silent way through the fields. In a distant corner, I can see the Fulani herdsman, a boy really – he is the source of the clucking noise. Whenever a particularly adventurous cow threatens to stray too far, he clucks, softly, almost under his breath, yet loudly enough for the sound to carry into my bedroom, and the cow wanders back to the fold. I remember the stories I have heard about Fulani being able to ‘talk’ to their cattle, and from what I can see, it seems that the tales told by an old driver of my father’s who had once lived in the North are true.