Generational fear of mental health Stigmatization is a failure for celebrities who have suffered from that.

Our children cannot suffer what we suffer if we have the power to change the world.

What Happened?

On a Twitter space with Kwame Dadzie of Joy FM, influential Ghanaian celebrities OKyeame Kwame, Lekzy, Adomaa, and Artist Manager George Britton revealed depression among creatives. Before this, there have been various cases of Ghanaian celebrities like MzVee, Joey B, Funny Face, Worlasi, OB Amponsah and many more opening up about their struggle with depression. 

For most of them, their struggle is prolonged because of their inability to open up about their situation for fear of stigmatization. Also, some did not trust their information's privacy to trained professionals with patience and confidentiality engraved in their work code.

What are people saying?

Anyone on Twitter space could sympathize with the problematic situation these celebrities may have faced the time they were battling with depression. But generally, mental health conversation is still new to Ghanaians, and such discussions are treated lightly and without any long-term plan.

The Talkative:

To all celebrities who have opened up about any mental health challenge, kudos to you. That is the beginning of the way forward. To destigmatize mental health, such forums should be encouraged to get more people of influence to open up about their struggles. 

However, To normalize mental health conversations in our homes, our celebrities and Ghana health service must go beyond online spaces to speak about their situations. Traditional media, radio, television, newspapers, door-to-door, community, markets, schools and churches, and workplace participation should all be prioritized to address the issue of mental health stigma. 

Celebrities like Okyeame Kwame, MzVee, Adomaa, JoeyB, and Lekzy can partner with mental health experts to hit schools to talk to children about their mental health to help normalize the conversation in the future. 

I see any celebrity who has battled with the fear of stigmatization of mental health as a failure if their children have to go through the same situation in some years to come. They could not use their voice and platform to create a better tomorrow for their children; It all starts with the children. 

Encouraged mental health conversations among children will help create safer and more accepting adults and communities in the future, and the onus is on all stakeholders and people with influence to help create the awareness and education needed to make that future. 

Written by:

Tilly AKua Nipaa