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The film industry has also contributed to the issues Mental Health Day seeks to address in the society today.

5 Nollywood films that helped us understand mental health issues better | Pulse Nigeria

Faith Oloruntoyin

<h2>Tuesday, October 10, 2023, is World Mental Health Day to raise awareness on the issues surrounding various mental health illnesses.</h2>

<p>For that reason, we take a look at what the Nollywood film industry in particular has contributed in raising such a crucial topic to the plane of discussion.</p>

<p>Although a very sensitive topic, the use of the audio and visual abilities of film has proven to be an effective way of creating sensitisation for people scattered around various geographical zones.</p>

<p>So in no particular order, here are five Nigerian movies that have addressed mental health issues:</p>

<p><a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/damilola-orimogunje-talks-making-for-maria-a-film-on-postpartum-depression/xtzqpn4"><em>For Maria</em></a> follows the harrowing experience of a first-time mother who struggles with postpartum depression. It stars&nbsp;<strong>Meg Otanwa, Gabriel Afolayan, Tina Mba</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Judith Audu</strong>.</p>

<p>Postpartum depression is a condition that affects mothers often after birth, many have heard the term but <em>For Maria </em>helped shed light on a very silent but serious issue affecting women.</p>

<p>The film depicts the mental health struggles of six adults in Nigeria, who tell their life stories especially pertaining to issues like depression and attempted suicide.</p>

<p><em>I'm Not Fine </em>is a 2022 documentary by <strong>Lota Chukwu</strong> and is currently available on YouTube.</p>

<p><a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/mo-abudus-directorial-debut-lands-theatrical-release-date/djr2jgw"><em>Iyawo Mi (My Wife)</em></a> is a short film written and directed by&nbsp;<strong>Mo Abudu</strong>. It tells the heart-wrenching story of a young married man named Kunle, whose nightmares begin when he returns home to his wife, Eniola, hallucinating, screaming at their children and neighbours with a threat to kill everyone.</p>

<p>The film, predominately in Yoruba, features&nbsp;<strong>Adedimeji Lateef</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>Bolaji Ogunmola</strong>,<strong>&nbsp;Segun Arinze</strong>, and&nbsp;<strong>Jude Chukwuka</strong>.</p>

<p><a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/6-promising-nigerian-titles-to-expect-this-october/nw41jvj"><em>Her Perfect Life</em></a><em>&nbsp;</em>is also a short film directed and written by Abudu, about the life of Onajite Johnson Ibrahim, a woman with a seemingly perfect life.</p>

<p>At 39, she has it all; a flourishing career, a growing business, a loving husband, and two bright and beautiful children. However, beneath it all, she desires to end everything.</p>

<p>It features&nbsp;<strong>Pearl Thusi</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Joseph Benjamin</strong>&nbsp;as lead actors, whilst the support roles include&nbsp;<strong>Omawunmi Dada</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>Uzo Osimpka</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>Christian Paul</strong>, and&nbsp;<strong>Mary Lazarus</strong>.</p>

<p><em>Oga John&nbsp;</em>is a 10-minute short film that sets out to increase awareness about mental health issues in Nigeria. The film takes us through the life of Alero, a young lady who appears to struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).</p>

<p>Written by <strong>Oje Ojeaga</strong>, the film shows a glimpse of the possible frustrations of suffering from OCD in a place like Lagos.</p>

<p>Directed by <strong>Tolu Ajayi</strong>,<strong> </strong>the film features<strong> Ade Laoye </strong>as Alero and<strong> Imoikor Joseph </strong>as Oga John.<strong> </strong></p>

Nollywood movies like For Maria and Oga John have raised the discussion on mental health issues

5 Nollywood films that helped us understand mental health issues better

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