By Esther Onyegbula

A documentary that has helped reshape conversations around mental health in French sports circles has made its way to Nigeria, with stakeholders calling for greater attention to psychological well-being among athletes and professionals.

Têtes Plongeantes (Diving Headers), a documentary co-produced by Franco-Nigerian entrepreneur Wale Gbadamosi Oyekanmi for Booska-P, Génération 2018 and So Press, premiered recently at Alliance Française de Lagos, drawing athletes, mental health advocates and members of the public to a discussion on mental health challenges in high-performance environments.

The documentary, which reportedly generated over 10 million views in France following its release in December 2025, features personal accounts from French World Cup-winning footballers and examines the psychological realities behind elite sports.

Speaking at the premiere, Gbadamosi Oyekanmi said the decision to bring the documentary to Nigeria was driven by a desire to extend the conversation on mental health beyond France and encourage more openness around psychological well-being.

According to him, the film’s impact in France demonstrated the need for similar conversations in Nigeria, where discussions around mental health remain limited despite growing awareness.

The screening was followed by a panel discussion moderated by media entrepreneur and founder of withchude.com podcast, Chude Jideonwo, who led conversations on the pressures faced by elite performers in both France and Nigeria.

Panelists included professional footballer Desire Oparanozie; Chief Operating Officer of Blueroom Care, Ebunoluwa Collins; and Subair Disun, a Lagos resident who shared his personal journey with mental health challenges and treatment.
Oparanozie, speaking on the realities athletes face, said neglecting mental health in pursuit of professional success could have devastating consequences.

“I experienced what Samuel Umtiti shared in the documentary, not prioritising your mental health over your career can be deadly,” she said.
She noted that athletes are often expected to remain mentally strong at all times, a pressure that can prevent them from seeking support when needed.

Collins, meanwhile, outlined practical approaches to improving mental healthcare access in Nigeria and stressed the importance of creating support systems that encourage individuals to seek help without fear of stigma.
Participants at the event observed that the documentary had succeeded in challenging the long-standing “tough it out” culture that often dominates sporting and professional environments.

Speaking further, Gbadamosi Oyekanmi said the response from the Lagos audience reflected a growing demand for mental health support and awareness.
“The resonance we saw tonight confirms that the desire for mental health support transcends borders,” he said.

“Just as this documentary helped start a movement in France, we are hopeful that today’s event marks the beginning of a sustained, structural change in how mental health is prioritised and discussed across Nigerian society.”
He added that the success of the initiative would ultimately be measured by the number of people encouraged to seek help and share their experiences.

“If a young person feels less alone after watching this film or an excerpt and reacts by asking for help, then we have succeeded. As Gaëtane Thiney says, what we are doing will give a lot of strength to everyone,” Gbadamosi Oyekanmi said.

Organisers said the Lagos premiere was aimed at positioning mental health as an essential component of professional success and personal well-being, while encouraging greater acceptance of vulnerability as a sign of strength rather than weakness.

Têtes Plongeantes is currently available on YouTube and continues to gain attention for its candid portrayal of the mental and emotional pressures experienced by elite athletes, while advocating greater openness and support for mental health across society.