Breaking Chains: Freedom for a Young Woman

On a quiet day on 4th October 2024, our field research team from the BanStopPrevent Advocacy Project, directed by the leadership of NAS Magna Carta, embarked on a mission of hope and restoration. This mission carried out in one of the communities in Umuahia South Local Government Area, sought to release a young woman who had been bound in chains, not for danger or crime, but because her family could not clear an outstanding debt to the spiritual healer who had treated her for mental illness.

Earlier in September, during the field research, we visited a spiritual healing home where the healer's name and location had been withheld to protect the young woman's identity. We were greeted by the sight of a 22-year-old girl with her two legs chained at the ankle. Though initially apprehensive, all of them, including the young woman in chains, eventually shared their stories. It was revealed that the young woman, though mentally recovered, remained chained due to an unpaid balance of N350,000 to the healer.

The girl’s mother, bringing her food, recounted their ordeal. The family had a history of mental illness, and despite their best efforts, they were unable to clear the debt. The toll on the family has been immense. While the girl was undergoing treatment, her father tragically passed away and remains in the mortuary, awaiting burial. In addition, the financial burden forced the family to mortgage their only plot of land to raise the initial deposit of N500,000 for her treatment. The young woman had made several attempts to flee, desperate to return to a foreign country where she had lived before her mental health struggles began. According to the healer, this prompted the chain to restrain her, fearing she might escape.

Determined to help, our team returned to the healing home on 4th October, armed with the funds provided by the NAS Magna Carta (National Association of Seadogs Hertfordshire, United Kingdom), to clear the outstanding debt and secure the girl’s release.

Upon arrival, we engaged with the spiritual healer. Although he had declined to be interviewed during the initial survey, he shared valuable insights during this visit. He spoke of the challenges he and other spiritual healers face in treating mental illness. While integrating both spiritual and conventional psychiatric methods in his healing practice, he lamented the scarcity and high cost of original psychiatric medication, which hindered his ability to provide more effective treatment. He also described the difficulty of accessing these drugs and the strain that such costs placed on both healers and the families of those seeking help.

After discussing the situation, the healer requested that payment for the young woman’s release be made through her mother. Though we had concerns, we transferred the N350,000 directly to the mother. The healer agreed, and we witnessed the removal of the girl’s chains with the debt cleared. However, she remains under observation for another two weeks, a standard part of his practice to ensure complete recovery. We assured him we would follow up to ensure her eventual release.

We stood with the girl and her mother, relieved that a significant step had been taken towards her freedom. Though the healer declined to join us in photographs, we captured this pivotal moment—both with and without the chains that had bound her.

This experience serves as a stark reminder of the complex intersection between mental health, traditional healing practices, and the socio-economic challenges faced by many families. BanStopPrevent remains dedicated to advocating for humane mental health treatment and supporting families struggling with the high costs of care. Through efforts like this, we aim to ensure that no individual is ever bound in chains simply because they cannot afford their freedom.

Walk347 and NAS Magna Carta unequivocally reject the use of chains or imprisonment as a means of addressing mental health conditions. Such practices are harmful and fundamentally violate individuals' dignity and rights. Our swift action to free the girl reflects our deep commitment to ensuring that no one suffers in this way. However, our work does not end here. We are actively engaging with spiritual healers and community leaders to eliminate these damaging practices at their roots, promoting humane, compassionate, and effective mental health care. By fostering collaboration and education, we aim to build a future where mental health treatment respects the human rights of all and where the use of chains or imprisonment is no longer tolerated in any form. Our mission is clear: to work urgently and tirelessly to ensure that such practices are eradicated and that every person receives care grounded in dignity and respect.

Stay tuned for more updates on the BanStopPrevent Advocacy Project as we continue our mission to reshape attitudes towards mental health care in our communities.

#MentalHealthAdvocacy #BanStopPrevent #Walk347 #NASMagnaCarta #BreakingChains #CommunityEngagement #MentalHealthCare #HumanitarianAction

Christian Abuajah, PhD
is the Field Coordinator/Team Lead of the BanStopPrevent Mental Health Advocacy Project Field Researchers.