unashamed2020

My name is Petra Akinti Onyegbule. In the last 6 years, I have been very open about my battle with depression. This was not always the case because like we do with many things we do not understand, mental disorders had so extensively stigmatized to the point where folks like me dealt with their issues in silence and sadly taking their own lives when they could no longer cope. For the longest of time I was too ashamed to say I suffered bad episodes of depression because I didn’t want to be seen as possessed or mad.

But I took control of people’s perception of my reality and became #unashamed enough to talk about it and create meaningful conversations and engagements around mental health thereby empowering myself and others to become advocates for optimal mental health.

I have not just spoken about it to raise awareness that depression and other mental disorders such as anxiety, schizophrenia, psychosis are not religious afflictions but health issues which must be dealt with by health experts, I have had therapy sessions to understand myself, what triggers my depression, how to avoid them and I have had to use medication sometimes as prescribed by my shrink.

My episodes have been far between and less intense.

My name is Petra and I affirm that mental disorders can be treated.

It is why I invite you to join me in the #unashamed2020 campaign by the Asido Foundation by overcoming your shame and talking about your condition and helping others overcome their own shame so that together we can all defeat the stigma associated with mental disorders.

You can take the pledge to support persons living with mental health challenges by visiting
https://www.asidofoundation.com/unashamed2020

Take the pledge, invite others to do so as well and let’s stand united to demystify issues surrounding mental disorders and illnesses.