A Voice for Mental Health

I lost a friend to suicide. He seemed happy, or at least I thought he was. Behind his smile was a pain so heavy he chose to end his life in the most heartbreaking way. He set himself on fire.

September always reminds me of his silence, and my shock still lingers, a reminder of how invisible struggles can be.

To write this is not easy, but it is necessary. Mental health matters deeply, every day, for everyone. World Mental Health Day calls us to look closer, to listen more carefully, and to treat what we cannot see with the same urgency as what we can.

My friend’s story is why we must keep raising awareness, why we must fight stigma, and why we must make space for honest conversations about how we truly feel.

If you are struggling, please reach out to MANI. You are not alone. You are worthy of love, care, and light.

Happy World Mental Health Day.

-Oluwademilade from MANI