Nigerian takes to the water to raise mental health awareness
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[April 01, 2024]
By Seun Sanni and Ope Adetayo
LAGOS (Reuters) - Nigerian swimmer Akinrodoye Samuel has tried to raise
awareness on mental health in Africa's most populous nation, swimming
nearly 12 km (7.45 miles), the length of the longest bridge in Lagos
where many people have jumped to their deaths.
Samuel, a swimming coach, said he was moved by the experience of a
friend who nearly took his own life due to depression.
A 2021 UNICEF report showed one in six Nigerians aged between 15 and 24
were depressed, anxious or had other mental health issues. Medical
professionals say the stigma associated with mental health in Nigeria's
culturally conservative society makes it difficult for people to open
up.
"We are doing this too so people don't just think that suicide is the
next option," Samuel told Reuters after finishing the swim in the Lagos
Lagoon on Saturday.
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Supporters of Akinrodoye Samuel cheer, while he swims to complete
his ambitious endeavor to swim the 11.8 km stretch of the Third
Mainland Bridge, advocating for the theme 'Swim Against Suicide And
Depression' in Lagos, Nigeria, March 30, 2024. REUTERS/Marvellous
Durowaiye
 (Reporting by Seun Sanni, writing by
Ope Adetayo, editing by Nick Macfie)
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