Popular Nollywood actress and award-winning filmmaker Funke Akindele has stirred widespread conversations around mental health after sharing a deeply emotional and motivational message with her fans, urging them to speak up and seek help rather than suffer in silence.
Taking to her Instagram page where she commands a following of over 16 million Akindele delivered a strong appeal encouraging people to break the silence around mental health challenges. Her message, which has since gone viral, struck a chord with thousands across social media.
“Let them say you’re oversharing! Let them think you talk too much! But speak up!” she wrote. “Because when you’re alive, there’s a solution. You are stronger than you think. You are braver than you feel. You are loved more than you know. Speak up, stay alive!!”
Akindele further emphasized her point using hashtags such as #SuicideNotTheOption and #NoToSuicide, reinforcing the urgency of addressing mental health crises, particularly in a society where such conversations are often suppressed by stigma and silence.
Her heartfelt plea has resonated deeply with fans and fellow celebrities alike. Notably, actress Nancy Isime, who is also an outspoken advocate for mental wellness, was among the many public figures who engaged with the post by liking it.
In the comment section, thousands of followers shared their own experiences with emotional struggles, trauma, anxiety, and depression, some revealing they had never spoken about their pain until now. Others expressed gratitude for Akindele’s bravery, describing her words as timely and healing.
Mental health continues to be a sensitive and often taboo topic in many parts of Africa, including Nigeria, where societal pressure, fear of judgment, and limited access to professional mental health services keep many people suffering in silence.
By using her platform to encourage open dialogue, Funke Akindele joins a growing number of Nigerian celebrities who are helping to dismantle the shame and stigma associated with mental illness. Her message reminds fans that no one is truly alone, and speaking up could be the first step toward healing.
