{"id":1479,"date":"2026-07-14T18:39:54","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T17:39:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/?p=1479"},"modified":"2026-07-14T18:39:56","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T17:39:56","slug":"the-quiet-pandemic-why-we-are-all-sad-and-pretending-not-to-be","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/?p=1479","title":{"rendered":"The Quiet Pandemic: Why We Are All Sad and Pretending Not to Be"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Great Evi Ameh<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depression is not a foreign problem. It is not only a problem for wealthy people, celebrities, or people in other countries. It is a human challenge, and it exists in Nigeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, in a society where emotional struggles are often misunderstood, many people suffer silently because they fear judgment, criticism, or being labelled as weak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Nigeria, we have many ways of describing hardship, poverty, and struggle. But when it comes to depression, many people still reduce it to phrases such as \u201cspiritual attack\u201d or simply tell those struggling to \u201cbe grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, depression is not a lack of gratitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person can have a job, a family, and material comfort and still experience depression. Telling someone with depression to \u201ccount their blessings\u201d does not solve the problem. Mental health challenges require understanding, support, and sometimes professional care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTherapy Is for Mad People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest misconceptions about mental health in Nigeria is the belief that therapy is only for people with severe mental illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therapy can help anyone dealing with emotional challenges, anxiety, grief, stress, relationship difficulties, or overwhelming life experiences. A student struggling academically, a professional facing burnout, or a parent dealing with emotional exhaustion can all benefit from mental health support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just as people service their cars to keep them functioning, the mind also requires care and attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Depression Really Looks Like<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Depression is more than ordinary sadness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sadness often has a clear reason, but depression can affect a person’s thoughts, emotions, energy, and daily activities even when everything appears fine from the outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may look like the successful professional who appears confident but struggles internally. It may look like the student who suddenly withdraws from friends, loses interest in activities, or finds everyday tasks difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may also look like someone who becomes unusually quiet, avoids social interactions, or constantly feels exhausted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These signs are often misunderstood because many people have been taught to hide their struggles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Many Nigerians Struggle in Silence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Economic Pressure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The realities of modern Nigeria create significant emotional pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many young graduates spend years searching for employment. Rising costs of food, rent, transportation, and healthcare make daily survival difficult. The constant pressure to succeed while facing limited opportunities can affect mental well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is not simply a matter of being weak. Long-term stress can have serious effects on the mind and body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Culture of Suppression<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many Nigerians grow up hearing statements such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t tell people your problems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPray more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBe strong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cReal men do not cry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While faith, strength, and resilience are valuable, they should not prevent people from seeking help when they need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Support from religious communities, family members, and professionals can work together to help people through difficult periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Comparison Trap<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Social media has also increased pressure on many people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every day, people see pictures of friends travelling, buying houses, celebrating achievements, and appearing successful. What is often forgotten is that social media usually shows only the best moments of people’s lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Constantly comparing personal struggles with other people’s highlights can create feelings of failure and disappointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unprocessed Grief<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many Nigerians experience loss, disappointment, and trauma but are often encouraged to quickly move on without processing their emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, unresolved grief can continue affecting a person’s mental health long after an event has passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cost of Ignoring Mental Health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mental health challenges affect individuals, families, workplaces, and communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person experiencing depression may struggle with concentration, productivity, relationships, and physical health. Families can also be affected when someone suffers silently without support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ignoring mental health problems does not make them disappear. It often allows them to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Needs to Change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For Individuals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first step is acknowledging the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognising that something is wrong is not a sign of weakness. Speaking to a trusted person, seeking professional support, maintaining healthy routines, and reducing exposure to unhealthy comparisons can make a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Families<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Families should learn to listen instead of judging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of asking, \u201cWhy are you behaving this way?\u201d a better response is, \u201cI am here for you. Tell me what you are experiencing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A supportive environment can encourage people to seek help earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Government and Institutions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mental healthcare should become more accessible across Nigeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Primary healthcare centres can play a greater role in identifying and supporting people experiencing mental health challenges. More investment is needed in awareness programmes, professional training, and affordable treatment options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Religious Organisations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Churches and mosques play an important role in Nigerian communities. Religious leaders can support mental health awareness by encouraging people to seek professional help alongside spiritual support when necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faith and medical care can work together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Strongest Thing You Can Do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The strongest thing a person can do is not always pretending to be fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, strength means admitting that help is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depression is not a character flaw. It is a health challenge that deserves the same seriousness given to other medical conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We need a Nigeria where asking \u201cAre you okay?\u201d becomes a genuine question, and where saying \u201cI am not okay\u201d is met with support rather than shame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The opposite of depression is not simply happiness. It is connection, understanding, and knowing that one does not have to face difficult moments alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The writer is a Journalism and Media Studies student at Delta State University, Abraka.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Great Evi Ameh Depression is not a foreign problem. It is not only a problem for wealthy people, celebrities, or people in other countries. It is a human challenge, and it exists in Nigeria. Yet, in a society where emotional struggles are often misunderstood, many people suffer silently because they fear judgment, criticism, or […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1480,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"iawp_total_views":6,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[31,25,391,282],"class_list":["post-1479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-viewspoint","tag-abraka","tag-delsu","tag-depression","tag-opinion"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1479","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1479"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1479\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1481,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1479\/revisions\/1481"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1480"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1479"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1479"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1479"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}