“It is well” is not a strategy: What Nigeria is refusing to confront about mental health

Psychological distress in Nigeria is deeply intertwined with economic uncertainty, caregiving responsibilities, insecurity, unemployment, family conflict, and the daily pressures of survival, according to Hauwa Ojeifo. For over a decade, Ojeifo has listened to Nigerians experiencing such distress, finding that these issues rarely exist in isolation.

The phrase "it is well" has become a national coping mechanism, used after kidnappings, job losses, or when healthcare systems fail. Ojeifo argues that this phrase, while perhaps rooted in faith, has become dangerous because it allows people to stop asking harder questions. It has transitioned from an expression of hope to a substitute for confronting reality, narrowing the national understanding of mental health.

"It is well" often sounds different to those experiencing distress. For a decade, She Writes Woman’s 24-hour mental health free helpline has served as a window into the struggles of modern Nigeria. More than 25,000 Nigerians have reached out, with over 80 percent being between 18 and 30 years old.

Callers rarely begin by stating they have depression. Instead, they express feelings of being tired, overwhelmed, a burden, or simply needing someone to listen. Their stories vary, but the language of distress remains consistent: isolation, overwhelm, exhaustion, loneliness, and fatigue. By the time they contact the helpline, they are often at a breaking point.