Chacha Eke, a renowned Nollywood actress, has fearlessly shared details about her battle with mental illness, shedding light on why she and her husband chose not to keep valuable possessions at home.
After experiencing a bipolar relapse in the past, Eke has become an ambassador for mental illness awareness. She recounted a distressing incident at the Ritz Hotel in Enugu, where she destroyed property, causing significant damage and leaving her family with only the clothes they were wearing.
In her own words,
"To be frank, if the disorder I have been struggling with didn't bring me to a point of utter disgrace, I probably wouldn't be here advocating for it. My psychiatrist was my worst nightmare. I wish I could kill him because it was from him, for the first time after years of manic episodes and violence, that I heard the name of what was wrong with me, and it pained me."
Eke shared the harrowing experience she had in Enugu's Rit Hotel, where she wrecked everything and reduced her family's possessions to mere clothing. She revealed that she went untreated for some time, and when she moved to Asaba two years later, another manic episode occurred, resulting in the destruction of their entire house. This destructive pattern led them to refrain from keeping valuable properties at home, as it was only a matter of months before she would wreak havoc again.
Eventually, Eke's husband took her to the FDAH (Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital) for treatment. However, when she was discharged, she discarded her prescribed medication by flushing it down the toilet. As a result, she experienced another relapse and was readmitted to the hospital.
Chacha Eke's candid revelations provide a glimpse into the challenges faced by individuals with mental illness, highlighting the urgent need for understanding, support, and proper treatment. Her courage in sharing her journey serves as an inspiration to others grappling with similar struggles and emphasizes the importance of mental health awareness in society.
