World Mental Health Day 2025 – Drop The Armour
From left: Mrs. Oyinade Samuel-Eluwole; and Dr. Olugbenga Adekinle Owoeye, Chief Medical Director, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, during a courtesy visit at the hospital.
Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies
Every mind matters — but not every mind feels safe enough to seek help.
As the world observes World Mental Health Day 2025, the global theme “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies”reminds us that access is not only about hospitals; it is about trust, empathy, and cultural relevance.
In Nigeria, where mental health services remain underfunded and stigma still silences many, creating safe entry points for support has become urgent.
At Elizabethan H&H Foundation, we see these truths every day that while some battles are visible, many others are fought in silence particularly among men.
The Nigerian Man’s Silent Crisis
For generations, men have been taught to wear strength as armor and to hide pain, suppress emotion, and soldier through trauma alone. Yet this armor often becomes a cage, trapping distress that can lead to breakdown, substance use, or isolation.
Statistics paint a painful picture:
- Though women report depression more often, men are far more likely to die by suicide globally.
- In Nigeria, men are often taken for professional help only after severe crises — psychotic breaks, substance issues, or conflict with the law.
- Cultural pressure to be the “provider” and the stigma against emotional vulnerability remain major barriers to seeking help early.
Drop the Armor — Pick Up an Anchor
On this World Mental Health Day, we invite men everywhere to drop the toxic armor of silence and embrace simple anchors that sustain the mind and soul:
- Acknowledge the Distress: its okay to feel anxious, angry, or tired. Admitting it is not weakness — it’s wisdom.
- Use Your Breath as an Anchor: Slow, conscious breathing is the body’s first healing tool.
- Talk to a Trusted Soul: Healing begins when you share the load. Speak to a friend, family member, or professional.
Every conversation, every pause for reflection, is a bridge toward recovery.
Our Commitment
At Elizabethan H&H Foundation, we continue to engage in meaningful discussions and explore partnerships with key mental health and wellness institutions, including the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Our shared vision is clear, to make mental health access visible, approachable, and culturally relevant, especially for boys and men.
Because the right to mental health care extends beyond hospital walls and it lives in compassion, connection, and community.
Closing Reflection
Healing begins the moment we choose honesty over appearance.
On this World Mental Health Day, drop the armor, breathe deeply, and remember — strength is not silence.
⭐ Empowering Boys. Supporting Men. Changing Lives.
Powerful message! 💚 Dropping the armor takes real courage. Every conversation like this helps break the stigma and reminds us that seeking help is strength, not weakness.