People living with mental health conditions and those recovering from substance addiction have shared their experiences with stigma, treatment and recovery during a World Mental Health Day event organised by The Retreat Healthcare Facility in Ikorodu, Lagos.
The event organised with this year’s theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” brought together inpatients, outpatients, caregivers and healthcare workers, aimed to encourage people to speak about their recovery journeys and challenge negative attitudes towards mental health conditions.
One of the participants, a civil servant living with a mental health condition, recounted how discrimination from colleagues after her initial treatment led her to stop taking her medication for six months.
She subsequently experienced a relapse that required another month of admission. She said she has since remained consistent with her outpatient appointments and changed her work environment.
She encouraged others receiving treatment to adhere to their prescribed medication and attend follow-up appointments, while commending the facility for providing supportive and non-judgmental care.
Another participant, who began rehabilitation in September 2024, spoke about how substance addiction affected his finances and personal wellbeing before he committed to recovery.
Now pursuing his life goals abroad, he attributed his progress to taking recovery one day at a time and remaining committed to the process.
A mental health professional who also has a history of substance use shared how childhood trauma and a difficult family environment contributed to his early exposure to drugs.
He said he had remained sober since 2022 and now uses his experience to support patients who struggle to accept treatment. He added that deciding to seek help is an important step towards recovery.
A young adult who has experienced several admissions while managing bipolar disorder also highlighted the role of structure, self-awareness and consistency in maintaining recovery.
He noted that cannabis use had contributed to a relapse following an earlier discharge and urged young people to avoid comparing their lives with others on social media.
The participants’ accounts were followed by a facilitated discussion involving patients and members of the clinical team, who reflected on the lessons from the stories and the importance of creating supportive environments for people living with mental health conditions.
The programme was convened under the leadership of the facility’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Olufemi Oluwatayo, and Executive Medical Director, Dr Olawale Lagundoye, alongside other members of the clinical and non-clinical team.
It was organised in partnership with the Horse’s Mouth Support Group, whose circle coordinator facilitated the peer-led storytelling session.
The facility said the event reinforced the importance of listening to people with lived experience and making their perspectives part of mental health care.
The programme ended with a collective commitment to reducing stigma, encouraging recovery and promoting more supportive attitudes towards people living with mental health conditions.
