Post by David Owoeye (@davishalom)

The stigma some people attach to sickle cell disorder can prevent some sickle cell warriors from speaking out and accessing care and support.
Now, combine this with the stigma attached to mental health illnesses that prevents people from speaking about it and boldly stepping out to seek care is like a double dose of silence for sickle cell warriors.
As a medical doctor with some medical school training on psychiatry, it took me about 18 months before I decided to step out and seek mental healthcare from a psychiatrist. I knew that I was suffering from depression (based on my medical school training on psychiatry) for almost 18 months before I decided to see a psychiatrist (delayed health seeking behaviour).
Actually, I was having severe insomnia for about 3 weeks and I saw the GP to request for a sleep medication, but he had to refer me to a psychiatrist because it was a controlled medication.
There are many sickle cell warriors that have mental health problems without knowing and unable to seek proper mental healthcare especially in Africa where mental health illnesses are plagued with different religious and social myths.
We need to create an enabling environment for sickle cell warriors to seek appropriate care and support.
We also need to create an enabling environment for people with mental health challenges to seek appropriate mental healthcare and support.
May God help us achieve this,
In the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ.

© Diary of a Sickle Cell Warrior Surviving Depression with a mix of Anxiety.

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