Abuja, 11 October, 2022 - Dr Chieshi was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1990

Having been diagnosed with schizophrenia at the university in 1990, Dr Terver Simon Chieshi had to suspend school for a year to seek medical treatment. 

He recalled that being a final-year medical student coming to terms with the diagnosis was not easy. 

Since his diagnosis, Dr Chieshi has learnt to live with the challenge. Now working as, a chief medical officer at a health Centre in Benue state, he uses his experience to help other people diagnosed with mental health issues.

To mark the 2022 World Mental Health Day, Dr Chieshi, diagnosed 32 years ago, shares his story of how he has been coping with the disease.

Medical school to mental illness

“I tell people I was diagnosed with schizophrenia. After my diagnosis in 1990, I stayed home for a year to receive medication. With my schizophrenia symptoms under control, I returned to school as soon as I got the chance to prepare for my examination. I knew I could no longer specialize in my medical choice because of the medication. 

“I knew that the only thing I could do was to improve my knowledge of what they said is my problem, and that lead me to study psychology and social work, he said. 

On stigma

However, Dr Chieshi lamented the way people treat those with mental health issues. 

He said people treat those with mental health issues as if they are mad.
 
“We are not, and they need to understand that we only see things differently from others. It's something to share with society. So many others are suffering from what I think is not necessarily a correct diagnosis but a stigma attached.

“I am an artist, and I write. If somebody is said to be mentally ill but is still thinking and creative, must we keep ignoring them just because they are diagnosed with a mental health issue? 

“The stigma attached to the illness pushes them to the level where they ignore their craft, and we ask why they disregard our words, and this leaves damnation to the whole generations of study of knowledge, wisdom and whatever we loss,” he said. 

Hope is not lost 

“With my schizophrenia symptoms under control, I felt confident and have been helping others diagnosed with mental health issues accept the reality of their situation.

As an artist, I write poems and songs and keep developing myself by gradually building my capacity such that I am able to assist the system in the little ways I can.

My advice to people with mental health issues is that whatever negative ideas, positions, or society has about you, there is a need to keep developing yourself. 

In 2008, when I had a relapse and was admitted at the hospital, I knew it was an orchestrated admission because I wrote a book during the period, which got published in 2014, he said.

Helping others 

Despite the challenges due to his illness, Dr Chieshi says he has remained undaunted and uses his experience to help others in his shoes. 

“The experience working with people with mental health is varied.  As someone who has lived with a mental health issue for 32 years, I want to advise those suffering from mental health issues that they are not alone. 

“Recently, I helped a lady who is a medical student with suicidal thoughts. I usually check on her and can tell you she is now doing well and continuing with her studies.  I put down my experience to help motivate others, and I've also been involved with the comprehensive community mental health program in Benue state”, he said.

Mental health wellness

Dr Chieshi noted that many people live with mental health illnesses around us. 

Although people not living with disease rarely care about those living with mental health issues. In line with the theme for this year's World Mental Health Day - everyone needs to be concerned about people living with mental health issues. 

Speaking on the importance of a mental health wellness, a psychiatrist, professor Taiwo Obindo said  

“With the right treatment and support, people suffering from mental health issues such as schizophrenia can recover. People diagnosed with mental health issues should not be ostracized and those having mental health problems shout out and seek help. Mental services are available and they're useful and they can help you lead better life.

Meanwhile, the WHO Representative, Dr Kazadi Walter Mulombo said WHO is committed to supporting the Government of Nigeria and its partners to put in place necessary strategies and frameworks towards the prevention and control of mental health disorders in the country. 

This year’s theme is 'Make mental health for all a global priority, I, therefore, request everyone to jointly commit and ensure that mental health and wellbeing becomes a priority for us all" he said.
The World Mental Health Day is marked October 10. Since 2013, WHO has organized a global campaign for World Mental Health Day. The overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues and mobilize efforts in support of mental health. 

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