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<p>A mental health awareness advocate and chef, Aisha Dahiru Suleiman, has said that many women suffering from depression often fail to recognize the condition and instead attribute it to spiritual causes, a situation she described as a major challenge in society.</p>
<p>Suleiman made this known during an awareness campaign on mental health, legal rights, digital content creation, and women&#8217;s empowerment held in Kano. She explained that the gathering was organized to educate women and girls on critical social issues affecting their lives and to provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to improve their well-being.</p>
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<p>According to the 25-year-old convener, the event is expected to attract about 150 participants. She said the initiative seeks to create awareness on mental health, legal rights, digital content creation, and empowerment, particularly among women who may be struggling silently with psychological challenges.</p>
<p>Suleiman said research she conducted revealed that depression and other mental health conditions are common among women from local communities, especially those experiencing marital abuse and other forms of mistreatment. She noted that abuse by individuals in positions of authority, including teachers and healthcare professionals, can also contribute to mental health challenges.</p>
<p>&#8220;Many people believe that only older adults suffer from depression, but that is not true. Mental health conditions affect people of different ages. Our awareness campaign is targeted at women from the age of 18 and above to help them understand these issues and seek appropriate support,&#8221; she said.</p>
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<p>Speaking at the event, the mother of the convener, Barrister Bilkisu Ibrahim Suleiman, commended her daughter&#8217;s commitment to creating awareness despite facing personal health challenges.</p>
<p>She disclosed that Aisha had experienced several physical, mental, and psychological health challenges, which inspired her passion for advocating for mental health awareness. According to her, the campaign aims to address widespread misconceptions surrounding mental health and encourage women to speak openly about their experiences.</p>
<p>&#8220;The primary objective is to create awareness in our society. We live in a community where women are often not sufficiently empowered. Through this initiative, my daughter hopes to inspire women to overcome challenges and realize their full potential,&#8221; she said.</p>
<p>Also speaking, Dr. Saudat Abdussalam Waya, a psychiatrist and mental health specialist at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, described the topic as highly important but frequently neglected in society.</p>
<p>She noted that mental health remains widely misunderstood, leading to numerous misconceptions about conditions such as depression, substance abuse, and other mental disorders.</p>
<p>&#8220;Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It includes self-confidence, health management, and overall awareness of one&#8217;s mental state. Unfortunately, many misconceptions persist in society,&#8221; she said.</p>
<p>Dr. Waya explained that some people wrongly believe that depression only affects white people or men, while others assume that substance addiction cannot be treated. She stressed that mental disorders result from multiple factors, including biological, hormonal, environmental, and social influences.</p>
<p>She further challenged the belief that all mental health conditions are caused by spiritual forces, noting that many cases are medical conditions that require professional treatment.</p>
<p>&#8220;The misconception that mental illness is always caused by spirits is often incorrect. Mental disorders are diseases just like malaria and should not attract stigma. The earlier they are recognized, the better the chances of successful treatment,&#8221; she added.</p>
<p>The psychiatrist listed conditions such as schizophrenia among the mental disorders that require medical attention and emphasized the need for increased public education to reduce discrimination and encourage affected individuals to seek help.</p>
<p>The event highlighted the growing need for mental health awareness, legal education, digital literacy, and women&#8217;s empowerment, with participants urged to become advocates for positive change within their communities.</p>
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