•Says public awareness campaigns essential for stigma reduction

By Sola Ogundipe

Certified relationship coach, mental health advocate, author, and public speaker, Mrs. Sarah Wolu Akhigbe, a.k.a Coach Sazzy, is a reporter’s delight. The Psychology Educationist from Cardiff Metropolitan University, has dedicated her career to promoting mental wellness and supporting individuals, families, and communities in achieving emotional resilience.
In this interview, Akhigbe speaks on her advocacy passion that led to establish “No Gray Areas with Sazzy” on social media, where she engages with a growing community as Coach Sazzy. Through this platform, she provides guidance, support, and resources to individuals seeking to improve their mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.
As part of her passion to promote positive change through mental health advocacy and address the severe consequences on individuals, families, and society as a whole, she insists that Nigeria needs to introduce policies that treat mental health as a basic part of healthcare. Excerpts:

Personal experiences and social observations

Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the impact of mental health struggles on loved ones. My family members and friends faced challenges such as anxiety, depression, and trauma, which often went unaddressed or stigmatized. These experiences taught me the importance of empathy, understanding, and support.

As I navigated my own life journey, I encountered periods of self-doubt, stress, and burnout. It was through these struggles that I discovered the value of self-care, mindfulness, and seeking help when needed. These personal struggles have given me a deeper understanding of the complexities of mental health and the need for compassion and support.

Through my work as a certified Relationship Coach, author, and public speaker, I have had the privilege of engaging with individuals from diverse backgrounds and age groups around the world. I have observed that mental health issues are pervasive across societies, with many individuals struggling in silence due to stigma, shame, or lack of resources.

Societal expectations, cultural norms, and technological advancements can exacerbate mental health challenges. For instance, the pressure to conform to unrealistic standards of beauty, success, or productivity can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

Furthermore, I have seen how systemic issues such as poverty, inequality, and social injustice can disproportionately affect marginalised communities, leading to higher rates of mental health disorders and reduced access to support services.

Ethical considerations in mental health advocacy

Mental health advocacy is about prioritising people’s well-being and ensuring everyone gets the support they need. The work is guided by values like empathy, which means really understanding people’s struggles without judging them. Respect and dignity remind us that every person, no matter their condition, deserves to be treated as valuable.

The impact of mental health advocacy is massive. It helps reduce the stigma that stops people from speaking out or seeking help. It also improves access to resources, like affordable counseling or therapy, and creates stronger; communities that support each other.

Advocacy changes lives by ensuring people get help early, which can lead to recovery and better quality of life. On a larger scale, it pushes for better policies, like integrating mental health into schools, workplaces, and healthcare systems.

Ethically, it’s important to always respect people’s privacy and choices. Advocates need to avoid exploiting people’s struggles for attention or personal gain. They should also respect cultural differences while addressing harmful norms and always rely on accurate information to guide their actions.

Challenges

The first challenge I faced was breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. Many Nigerians still see mental health issues as something shameful or tied to spiritual problems. I tackled this by using relatable storytelling on platforms like ‘No Gray Areas with Sazzy’ and collaborating with community leaders to educate people.

Another issue was getting people to seek help early. Most wait until the situation becomes critical, so I worked on normalising therapy through free screenings, Q&A sessions, and sharing success stories.

Limited resources were also a big obstacle, especially for those in rural areas. I partnered with NGOs to offer free counseling and created online resources that people can access from anywhere. Balancing my personal well-being while advocating for others has been tough too.

On the flip side, some of my biggest successes include running awareness campaigns that reached thousands, empowering women and youth through workshops, and forming partnerships with organizations to provide free mental health services.

Mental, emotional well-being of the average Nigerian

The current economic challenges are tough, but there are practical steps we can take to maintain our mental health. First, self-care is key. Eating well, getting enough sleep, and staying active, even with simple exercises, can boost your mood and reduce stress. Learning to manage your finances wisely, focusing on priorities, and cutting unnecessary expenses can also ease the pressure.

It’s important to lean on your support system. Family, friends, and community groups can provide emotional and even financial help when needed. Joining faith-based or peer support groups can offer a sense of solidarity and hope.

Accessible mental health services like free counseling from NGOs or telehealth options are another lifeline. Engaging in spiritual practices like prayer or meditation also helps many Nigerians find peace during tough times.

Advocating for policies that make mental health care more affordable and promoting workplace wellness programmes can provide long-term solutions.

Increase in cases of depression, anxiety, and suicide

The economic situation has made life harder for many Nigerians, and this has led to more cases of depression, anxiety, and even suicide. People are struggling to meet basic needs like food and housing, which causes constant stress. Unemployment and job insecurity make people feel hopeless, and rising debts add to the pressure.

In our society, there’s also a lot of stigma around mental health issues, which stops people from seeking help. Men, especially, face extra pressure to be providers, and this can lead to feelings of failure or despair when things go wrong.

The data shows worrying trends, like increasing suicide rates and more people openly expressing their struggles on social media. To address this, we need to make mental health care affordable and accessible, create safe spaces for people to talk, and push for economic policies that relieve some of the financial burdens.

Policy changes to improve mental health outcomes

To improve mental health, we need policies that treat it as a basic part of healthcare. This means having counselors in primary healthcare centers, introducing mental health education in schools, and funding community mental health programmes. Laws should protect people from being discriminated against for their mental health challenges, and health insurance should cover therapy and counseling.

The government needs to invest in training more professionals and creating free or low-cost therapy options. Mobile mental health clinics can help reach people in remote areas. Partnerships between NGOs, religious groups, and private companies can amplify these efforts.

Public awareness campaigns are essential to educate people and reduce stigma. With these policies and resources in place, we can create a system that supports everyone, no matter their situation.

Advice to aspiring leaders to tackle mental health stigma

The first step is to lead by example. Show empathy and share your own experiences or relatable stories to normalise conversations about mental health. Create spaces where people feel safe to talk without fear of being judged.

Educate yourself about mental health and organise community events to spread the knowledge. Partner with community and religious leaders to break cultural stigma and use media platforms to reach more people with positive messages.

Advocate for affordable therapy, better mental health policies, and workplace programs that prioritize employee well-being. Build networks where people can support each other and always remember to practice self-care. When you lead with compassion and consistency, you inspire others to join the movement.

Vision of mental health, relationship wellness, and humanitarian work

I imagine a Nigeria where mental health is a priority, and everyone can access the help they need, no matter their background. Mental health services would be integrated into schools, workplaces, and churches, making it part of everyday life. Public campaigns would educate people and remove the stigma surrounding therapy.

For relationships, I envision programmes that teach communication skills and conflict resolution, starting from schools to adult workshops. Couples and families would have access to counseling centers, and apps could offer virtual support to make help more accessible.

In humanitarian work, my vision focuses on empowering women and youth with skills training and education, lifting entire communities. Relief efforts would include mental health support for displaced people and survivors of violence. Partnerships between government, NGOs, and businesses would make these programmes sustainable.

This vision is about building a Nigeria where emotional, social, and mental well-being are celebrated as essentials for everyone’s success. Together, we can create a society where no one feels left behind.