I had just gained admission to study at the University and had completed the student registration process.

One morning, while I was on my way to the lecture hall, I suddenly heard my name. As I turned in response, I fell to the ground and partially lost consciousness. I was aware however that I was being rushed to the hospital by my friend, on a motorcycle.

When I regained consciousness at the hospital, the doctor was uncertain about what was wrong with me and eventually discharged me, after a period of observation. My friend took me home to my parents who were devastated and concluded that it was a spiritual attack. However, I could not comprehend clearly what was happening to me.

In an attempt to seek help for me, my parents took me to a local healer and left me there; I was put through hell as I was tortured daily. I was flogged with heavy sticks so badly that my body ached and I could barely move. I was also forbidden to go anywhere or do anything except drink various concoctions which made me sleep for days.

Once, out of boredom I snuck out to take a stroll by myself, but on my return, I was punished and severely beaten again. I also had to drink that concoction again. By now my health deteriorated that I had to confided in my mother that I might die here.

Without hesitating, my parents took me away from this local healer and admitted me with another local healer. This time there was no physical abuse but I still had to drink concoctions which made me purge so much I lost a lot of weight.

After spending over a year at the local healer's, I was taken away from this local healer and taken to some Islamic clerics who performed various prayer sessions for 21 days. Afterwards, I became better and then recovered. By now, I had lost 2 years of my life that ought to have been spent in the University.

I wrote another JAMB, gained admission to the University again and completed my education without any further events.

Thereafter, I started receiving suitors but whenever I shared my story with them, they found an excuse to leave me. After some time, I met this man who seemed understanding and unperturbed by my previous health challenges. It was a relieve that I met a man who understood my history and as a result, I got married to him.

Shortly, I became pregnant and the scan revealed that I was carrying a baby girl. To my surprise when I told my husband the good news he expressed bitter disappointment towards the gender of the baby and abandoned me. I was shocked at his response. It was unimaginable that someone who didn't care about my health challenges would care about the gender of the child. Even after I was delivered of the baby, my husband remained unsupportive and often left me alone at home to attend parties. Needless to say, I felt let down and became despondent.

Nevertheless, my journey to recovery began gradually and I soon took up the role of being a mother to my baby. My husband became very abusive and used derogatory words for me all the time. This really hurt me and I told him to stop, but he didn't! Eventually, as things continued to deteriorate, the marriage ended in a divorce and my child was taken from me before she was 1-year-old. At that time, she was still breast feeding.

With the support of my family, I regained the custody of my child. At time, I had become so depressed I had to seek professional help. The first question I asked the health professional was ‘Am I schizophrenic?’ He informed me that I was not schizophrenic but suffering from depression. He also assured me that I could live a healthy life if I adhered to the treatment plan which I did.

Today I am happy with the support and care from my loving family and friends. My being in an optimal state of health is of paramount importance to me now. And I guard my peace of mind very jealously. I am now gainfully employed and taking full responsibility for my child. I am not a liability! I feel highly successful and able to handle my life.

Joining the Asido Foundation has helped my desire to be a mental health advocate and to also be of assistance to others who may be going through my kind of experience. So many people are suffering all sorts of abuse, in chains and other forms of bondage while others are suffering a lot of shame, stigma and discrimination. We can do something about this. We can support the Unashamed2020 campaign. We can make the world a better place...One person at a time.

Miss Mona.