STIGMA

He walked from Makola to Circle
And tried to charter a taxi from Circle Station to Circle Station
Many who heard him laughed
The drivee laughed too and answered
“You’re in Circle Station my brother”
He then looked around and felt small
He wondered how he had wandered to his destination
…without noticing his movements

II
Then he walked straight into the road
While traffic had instructed vehicles to move
The driver was quick to break
…with curses fit for a township
A good Samaritan whisked him off the road
…and asked if he was okay
Others asked if all was well upstairs
…and went their way

III
Pastor Kwabena Ofosu then went home
And asked his wife for food
His wife told him he was actually eating
And advised him to see a Psychiatrist
Then he flipped
“I am not mad
I am not mad
Do you want the whole of Accra to think me mad?
I am not mad”
His wife apologized seeing how distraught he was

IV
It was at church
When he held the mic as he asked into it to be given a mic
That the congregation of over three hundred went silent
One of the small pastors whispered into his ears
And he tried a joke but broke down
…weeping uncontrollably
“I think I’m losing it
I need prayers brethren!
I need prayers please!
I need…
I need…
I need prayers please”

V
A doctor of the mind whisked him away
And asked him to talk to him in his private mansion
It was there that it was revealed
That many things hover on his mind
All he needed was a professional to talk to
But his reputation stood to lose
…if he was seen going in and out of a hospital known for only “mad people”
This is what drives Dr. Obiri
In his advocacy in mental health in church
Amoafowaa Sefa Cecilia © October 17, 2021