SE6/EP 60: Mental Illness Is Not a Spiritual Attack & Why African Families Don't Talk About Mental Illness and Addiction with Dr. Olawale Ojo

According to an African proverb, "A wise man follows the advice of his neighbors, but a fool trusts his own illusions." In many African communities, mental illness and addiction are often hidden behind silence, stigma, and misunderstanding. In this powerful and deeply informative episode of the Pansa Pansa Podcast, we conclude our mental health series with an honest conversation about mental illness, substance use disorders, and addiction in African immigrant communities.Our guest, Dr. Olawale Ojo, is a psychiatrist specializing in addiction medicine. He has dedicated his career to developing innovative addiction treatment programs, including inpatient addiction consultation services, Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), and dual-diagnosis outpatient clinics that treat both mental illness and substance use disorders simultaneously. His mission is to transform lives by providing compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals and families affected by addiction.Dr. Ojo begins by sharing his inspiring journey from Nigeria to the United States, reflecting on the influence of his parents, the importance of education, and the realities of immigration. He discusses the growing problem of brain drain across Africa and explains how his experiences shaped his passion for psychiatry and addiction medicine.The conversation then explores one of the most difficult topics facing African immigrant families: the stigma surrounding mental illness. Dr. Ojo explains why conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders are medical illnesses—not moral failures or spiritual weaknesses. He also discusses how cultural beliefs, fear of shame, and lack of mental health education often delay treatment until symptoms become severe.We also examine the unique pressures facing African immigrant children who are balancing two cultures while meeting high parental expectations. Dr. Ojo explains how stress, trauma, identity struggles, and academic pressure can contribute to depression, anxiety, and substance misuse among young people.The discussion expands into addiction, examining both substance addictions and behavioral addictions. Dr. Ojo explains the science behind addiction, misconceptions surrounding cannabis and other drugs, the difference between legalization and medical safety, and why untreated addiction can have devastating consequences for individuals, families, and entire communities.Topics Covered• Dr. Olawale Ojo's journey from Nigeria to America• Mental illness in African immigrant communities• Depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder• Addiction and substance use disorders• Cannabis, legalization, and the science of addiction• Behavioral addictions and technology addiction• Parenting and mental health in immigrant families• Mental health stigma in African culture• Early intervention and treatment• Communication between parents and children• Community leadership and mental health advocacyChapters:01:21 Dr. Olawale Ojo's Background and Early Life12:35 Parental Involvement and Educational Influence20:09 The Impact of Brain Drain on Africa26:41 Challenges Faced by Immigrants in America35:16 The Journey to Psychiatry and Addiction Treatment37:39 Understanding Mental Illness in Cultural Contexts49:03 Cultural Biases and Mental Health in Immigrant Families1:02:15 The Unique Pressures on African Immigrant Children1:06:25 The Interplay of Addiction and Mental Health1:15:51 The Intersection of Law and Science in Substance Use1:21:34 Understanding Addiction: Types and Impacts1:30:17 The Long-Term Effects of Untreated Addiction1:36:05 The Role of Communication in Mental Health1:46:08 Community Engagement and Mental Health AdvocacyIf this conversation resonates with you, please Like, Subscribe, and Share this episode. Seek help if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and/or mental illness by dial 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.