Anthonate Asiegbunam is a writer, mental health advocate, and the founder of Unveil Mental Health Awareness Foundation. She has dedicated her resources to breaking the silence surrounding mental health in communities where cultural norms and stigma often suppress open dialogue.
Her work is deeply rooted in her personal experiences as a firstborn Nigerian-Igbo daughter navigating societal expectations, mental health challenges, and her unwavering faith in Jesus.
In her debut book, “A Girl, Her God, and Her Mental Health”, Asiegbunam’s memoir takes readers on a poignant journey of self-discovery and healing. She sheds light on the realities of mental health within Nigerian-Igbo communities, challenging the misconception that faith and mental wellness are mutually exclusive. Through her story, she demonstrates how open conversations about mental health can lead to healing, hope, and transformation.
As a firstborn daughter in Igbo culture, Asiegbunam understands the weight of societal expectations. She describes being an Ada (firstborn daughter) as both a source of pride and a heavy burden: “Being an Ada in Igbo culture is a thing of pride. I have always been my parents’ pride—their firstborn daughter, the one expected to set the standard, hold the home together, and embody responsibility.”
Yet, these expectations often came at a cost. Asiegbunam recalls feeling the pressure to be strong, even when she had nothing left to give: “There were days when I wanted to say, ‘I don’t have an answer to this.’ When I was a child, I just wanted to be a child, not the Ada who always had to be strong.” This pressure led to struggles with hyper-independence, perfectionism, and people-pleasing, which took a toll on her mental health and relationships. She reflects, “I became so accustomed to looking out for everyone else that I found myself alone, drained, and lost.”
Healing was not an easy journey for Anthonate. It required self-awareness, unlearning harmful patterns, and leaning into her faith. She emphasises the importance of setting boundaries and redefining strength: “The most effective strategies I’ve found? Setting boundaries unapologetically. Redefining strength to include vulnerability and rest. Finding safe spaces where I don’t have to perform.” She also found solace in her faith, realising that God’s love was not something she had to earn through achievements or perfection: “Even in my walk with God, I wrestled with the idea that I could just be—that I didn’t have to prove my worth or perform for His love.”
Asiegbunam’s work extends beyond her writing. In 2019, she founded the Unveil Mental Health Awareness Foundation to break the silence around mental health in Nigeria. The foundation focuses on creating safe spaces for people to share their mental health struggles and find support. Through initiatives such as “Catch Them Young,” which trains parents to recognise mental health challenges in their children, and “The Speak Up Event,” a programme that encourages open discussions about vulnerability, the foundation has worked to challenge the cultural stigma surrounding mental health.
Asiegbunam has also organised “Reveal and Rebuild,” an anonymous support group for women who have experienced abuse, and led awareness walks in Lekki to educate the public about mental health. These initiatives aim to provide education, resources, and solidarity to individuals who are often left in the dark about how to seek help. The impact of these efforts is measured not only by participation but also by the stories of those who, after years of suffering in silence, find the courage to speak out and seek professional help.
In her advocacy, Asiegbunam also addresses the responsibility of both religious and governmental institutions to support mental health. She urges faith communities to stop viewing mental health struggles as spiritual shortcomings and to offer practical support through therapy and professional care. She also calls on the Nigerian government to prioritise mental health care by increasing access to services, improving funding for mental health programmes, and incorporating mental health education into schools.
Looking ahead, Asiegbunam remains committed to her mission. She plans to expand the foundation’s reach to other Nigerian states and African countries, further normalising mental health conversations and ensuring that more people have access to the care and support they need. She also aims to empower young people to take a leading role in mental health advocacy, hoping to break the cycle of stigma and silence.
Asiegbunam’s story is that faith and mental health can coexist, proving that they can complement each other in the journey toward healing. Her work as a mental health advocate is rooted in the belief that open conversations can transform lives.
Through her writing and the Unveil Mental Health Awareness Foundation, Anthonate continues to inspire individuals to embrace their mental health journeys without fear or shame. She reminds us, “My journey is mine first before it belongs to anyone else.”
