Dr. Salau Abiola, a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, has called on Nigerians to stop attributing psychiatric conditions to spiritual attacks. He emphasized the need for intensive educational campaigns to dismantle these deeply rooted myths.
Decrying the societal tendency to view mental disorders through a supernatural lens, Abiola stressed that mental health issues are medical realities, not spiritual warfare.
In an interview with reporters on Thursday in Lagos, the psychiatrist highlighted that replacing superstitions with scientific awareness is crucial for reforming Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Abiola warned that attributing neurological issues to spiritual forces hampers critical clinical intervention, worsens patient outcomes, and fosters a toxic culture of isolation.
“Unfortunately, many believe mental illnesses are caused by spiritual attachments, which is not true,” Abiola stated. He urged the public to view psychiatric disorders the same way they see treatable physical illnesses.
To counter these cultural superstitions, he called for a systematic overhaul in how mental health is perceived.
“There is a need for increased educational interventions aimed at correcting misinformation and challenging negative beliefs about mental illness. This can be achieved through stakeholder engagement, community programs, and school enlightenment to change negative mindsets,” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of public awareness campaigns explaining the biological basis of mental illnesses, such as the genetic factors in schizophrenia.
“Understanding the biological roots helps people see beyond the diagnosis and recognize that a person’s identity is separate from their illness,” Abiola explained.
He stressed that societal re-education must be sustained through continuous advocacy.
On the impact of social stigma, Abiola condemned the high level of stigma attached to mental illness in Nigeria, calling it a major developmental setback and a barrier to accessing professional care.
“Stigma not only increases relapse rates but also damages the doctor-patient relationship,” he noted.
“We must stop stigmatizing those with mental health conditions; this can push them toward more serious issues like suicide,” Abiola warned.
He urged society to see individuals with mental health issues with empathy, recognizing that mental illness is a disease, not a choice.
Abiola also pointed out that internalized shame, known as self-stigma, is another barrier to recovery.
To combat self-stigma, he highlighted the importance of psycho-education, social support, family intervention, and public awareness.
He encouraged individuals suffering from mental health conditions to resist internalizing shame and to seek help.
“Negative attitudes toward mental illness are common in Nigeria,” he observed.
He advised, “Don’t let stigma foster self-doubt or shame. Don’t isolate yourself; seek help and speak out against stigma. Pay more attention to your symptoms and their effects than to other aspects of yourself.”
Ultimately, Abiola emphasized that society must treat mental health issues like any other treatable disease.
He reiterated that without replacing spiritual superstition with medical understanding, stigma will continue to drive vulnerable individuals into more severe and life-threatening health issues.
