In honor of World Mental Health Day, this feature examines how Nollywood is beginning to confront mental health on screen — and why authentic storytelling still matters.
Why Mental Health Stories in Nollywood Matter Now More Than Ever
Observed annually on October 10, World Mental Health Day serves as a reminder of the importance of mental well-being and the need for open conversations — including within the entertainment industry.
For years, Nollywood largely avoided or misrepresented mental health. Films often exaggerated conditions or relied on stereotypes, reflecting the broader stigma in society.
However, the rise of social media has helped shift the narrative, allowing both audiences and filmmakers to speak more openly about their struggles and experiences.
Many Nollywood actors and actresses have used their platforms to advocate for mental health awareness. Topics such as depression, domestic violence, bullying, postpartum depression, and terminal illnesses have been addressed in interviews, social media posts, and public appearances. Some celebrities have taken personal breaks to focus on their mental health, returning to their careers with renewed clarity and purpose.
While there have been commendable efforts to depict mental health on screen, many portrayals remain surface-level. It’s crucial for Nollywood to embrace more authentic, relatable stories that reflect real-life experiences with anxiety, trauma, and emotional healing. Positive representation can foster empathy, reduce stigma, and encourage viewers to seek help.
Filmmakers also have a responsibility to conduct thorough research when tackling mental health topics — especially if they haven’t experienced these issues firsthand. Accurate storytelling not only honors those affected but also educates and empowers audiences. Films that raise awareness must be grounded in truth, accuracy, and sensitivity.
As Nollywood continues to evolve, the demand for meaningful mental health narratives grows stronger. Audiences want to see stories that resonate, inspire, and reflect the complexities of emotional well-being.
Talking about representation, here are a few positive examples in Nollywood.
Seun Richards’s directorial debut explores the theme of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It follows an exceptional soldier and leader, Major Agbo, who leads his special forces team on a mission to rescue hostages from insurgents. However, as the only member of his team to survive the operation, he must now fight his way back to himself and his family. The film is available to watch on Prime Video.
Directed by Sarah Adesina, Out of Darkness focuses on postpartum depression — a topic gaining more attention in mainstream and Nollywood productions. It centers on a new mother, Bolu, who struggles with her mental health after the birth of her second child. Plagued by vivid visions and hallucinations that threaten to destroy her grip on reality, she faces emotional and medical neglect. As her husband desperately tries to help, the film highlights maternal mental health and systemic negligence. It premiered in cinemas nationwide in May.
One of the few Nollywood films based on a true story, 4:4:44 is a tale of strength, love, and determination laced with humor. Directed by Izu Ojukwu, it tells the story of a young couple and their struggle to cope with mental health challenges and societal reactions to their situation. The film is available on Prime Video
Exploring neurodivergence, Everything Light Touches tells the story of an autistic teenager named Abayomi who finds an unlikely family in an underbridge community after a tragic event. Directed by Emmanuel Adejo and produced by the MultiChoice Talent Factory West Africa Academy, the film highlights the challenges faced by families raising autistic children and the realities of life in marginalized communities. It is available on Showmax.
With more filmmakers and actors joining the conversation, the industry is slowly becoming a space where mental health is no longer hidden but embraced, explored, and understood.