Kemi Afolabi opens up on battling mental health struggles after lupus diagnosis

Nollywood actress Kemi Afolabi has spoken up for the first time on her mental health struggles.

In January, Kemi opened up on her diagnosis of a life-threatening disease, Lupus and her struggles before she was flown outside the country for treatment.

To commemorate this year’s World Mental Health Day, Kemi took to her Instagram page to recount how she had a mental breakdown over her illness.

Kemi recounted how she experienced anxiety, exhaustion, and depression. According to her, she hated everything that she was going through, not having the strength to do things she loved the most made her wallow in self pity.

She wrote: “#Mentalhealth is real. Stop messing with people emotions by your actions or words. I had mental break down when I got diagnosed with lupus. I experienced anxiety, exhaustion and depression.

“I hated everything I was going through, not having the strength to do the things I love the most made me wallowed in self pity.

“I never really showed my loved ones the peak of my breakdown. At some point I did considered harming myself severally, I heard strange voices to mention a few.”

“I am lucky to have great people around me who showed me genuine love which really helped my healing so fast and I am grateful for still breathing compared to those who are dead,”

“Then I made myself a promise that I was going to stop dwelling on something I cannot change. Then I started getting out of my head by accepting the new me.

“The way people move on from event will let you understand how life works! ‘Every man with his problems’.

“This is to encourage anyone going through something causing them mental breakdown. ‘Please get up and embrace the situation believing it will turn around for your good.’ Your breakthrough is near, start by being grateful you’re still alive.”