mortiz084

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 t...

I was so sad to hear about the suicide and battle with depression and it moved me to action. Having battled with depression for many years I know what its like to face this terrible disease head on. I have been saddened by a lot of the negative reactions to his death as though I am against self harm and suicide but I also can empathise with those who feel " mentally lost". There are multiple treatment methods for depression and associated disorders and I hope to highlight some of them here especially in relation to modern practices in Africa.  I think it's important to state that anyone can go through depression and there are people around us who suffer in silence, we must be able to provide an environment that offers up a safe place to express the vulnerability they feel in relation to their situation.   If you or anyone you know are battling with mental health issues, encourage them to seek professional help. There is nothing wrong with seeing a qualified psycholog...