25th August, 2023
By Victoria Oluwayemi
Austin Faani, Nigerian filmmaker Chacha Eke’s husband, has voiced his concerns about the adverse impact of religion on mental health in Africa.
Faani made these comments during his participation at the Meticulous People Foundation Outreach event, an initiative spearheaded by Chacha Eke to address mental health issues in the country.
Speaking openly about his own experiences, Faani shared the difficulties he faced when his wife battled with mental illness.
He recounted an incident from November 2012 when he turned to religious practices for a solution. In his attempt to seek help, he approached a pastor who suggested the ritualistic sacrifice of goats to alleviate his wife’s condition.
Consequently, he purchased a large goat from Abraka market, only to find that this effort did not yield the desired results for his wife’s well-being.
Faani, who described himself as a devoutly religious individual, expressed his view that religion, in some instances, has brought more harm than good to the African continent.
He highlighted the need to critically examine the role of religious practices, particularly in addressing sensitive matters such as mental health.
Chacha Eke, through her Meticulous People Foundation Outreach, has emerged as an advocate for mental health awareness in Nigeria. The foundation aims to dispel stigma surrounding mental health issues and provide support to those affected by them.