Hunger protest: Man who appeared naked suffers from severe despair - Psychiatrists

A man who has not yet been recognised gained a lot of attention in Lagos State on Thursday by going nude in protest, joining other Nigerians throughout the country in staging demonstrations to express their displeasure with the country's economic situation and growing levels of poverty.

A reporter covering the demonstration saw the man, amidst the demonstrators, strolling around Ojota's streets in his pants and singing 'Solidarity Forever'.

On the other hand, conversations among mental health specialists have been triggered by this dramatic demonstration.

On August 1, 2024, Nigerians launched the #EndbadgovernanceinNigeria protest to call the government's attention to the predicament that the country's citizens were facing.

Speaking on the subject, psychiatrists said that while this behaviour may not necessarily indicate a mental health condition, it may be an indication of serious emotional or psychological pain associated with the economic burdens being protested.

They noted that extreme action like this can sometimes blur the lines between activism and mental health concerns.
Dr. Kehinde Oderinde, a specialist drug addiction psychiatrist, noted that while naked protests are unusual, there are occasions when such drastic measures might be used to highlight a cause's urgency.

Oderinde clarified that such action can be a sign of severe psychological or emotional suffering.

The psychiatrist stressed the significance of comprehending the circumstances underlying such behaviour from the standpoint of mental health.

"Seeing someone at a protest in their pants can be striking and raises several questions," he stated. Although protesting by stripping naked isn't a common behaviour, "normalcy" might be arbitrary.

Extreme tactics are frequently used by people to raise awareness of their causes. This action by itself doesn't always indicate a mental health issue but can be a form of extreme expression.

“Such behaviour might reflect high levels of distress, frustration, or a strong desire to make a statement. It could be a sign of emotional or psychological strain.
But it's also possible that the person purposefully employed shock value. In other words, he is devoted to their cause and in good mental health.

The mental health professional continued, "For some, such an act might be eye-catching and impactful, potentially raising awareness about the issue being protested." In response to questions about how such an action could affect others, she said.

Others might find it upsetting or perplexing, which could take away from the protest's intended message or be interpreted as disruptive.

"Knowing the background is crucial for mental health concerns. Mental health specialists may need to take a deeper look at the person's behaviour if it fits into a larger pattern of severe behaviours or warning indications of distress.

But if this action is a singular instance for a particular cause, it might not necessarily reflect ongoing mental health issues but rather a deliberate, albeit extreme, form of activism. Understanding the full context and motivations behind such actions is crucial in evaluating their mental health implications accurately.”
Dr. Taiwo Shogunde, a clinical psychologist who specialises in stress and trauma, supported his point of view by highlighting the possible psychological strain associated with such activities.

According to Shogunde, those who resort to drastic means do so because they are feeling extremely urgent or in severe mental discomfort.

He pointed out that while the behaviour would not always point to a mental health issue, it might be an indication of intense psychological pressure.

Such extreme protest activities might occasionally conflate mental health issues with activism. It's important to comprehend the setting in which these behaviours take place. If this fits within a larger pattern of severe behaviour, it may be worth investigating further.

These behaviours are frequently calculated and intentional rather than indicative of a mental health disorder,” he said.

Speaking on the impact on others, he added, “For some, the nudity might serve as a compelling method to bring attention to an important issue. However, others might find the display confusing or unsettling, which could detract from the intended message.”
Nigerians are expressing their anger over the ongoing economic hardships in their country by organising a nationwide demonstration.

Our correspondent, who was on the ground monitoring the protest in various parts of Lagos, saw that demonstrators disregarded a court order that restricted them to specific places and instead took to the city's streets, roads, and Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park to air their complaints.