“Silence Can Be Deadly”: Funke Akindele Sparks Mental Health Conversation with Emotional Message

Nollywood star and filmmaker Funke Akindele has stirred widespread discussion on mental health after sharing an emotional and powerful message urging people to speak out rather than suffer in silence.

In a heartfelt Instagram post to her over 16 million followers, Akindele highlighted the importance of breaking the silence around emotional and mental struggles. She warned of the dangers of keeping pain bottled up, writing,
“Silence can be deadly, but words can save.”

Encouraging openness, she added:
“Let them say you’re oversharing! Let them think you talk too much! But speak up! Because when you’re alive, there’s solution. You are stronger than you think. You are braver than you feel. You are loved more than you know. Speak up, stay alive!!”

Tagged with hashtags like #SuicideNotTheOption and #NoToSuicide, the post quickly went viral, drawing responses from fans and celebrities alike—including actress Nancy Isime, who liked the post. Thousands of followers engaged with the message, many sharing their personal experiences and expressing appreciation for Akindele’s courage in addressing the sensitive issue.

One follower commented,
“Sharing is healing. If you don’t speak up, how will people know what you’re dealing with inside?”
Another added,
“You are the only one that can help yourself heal — starting by talking about it.”

Funke’s message comes at a time when mental health challenges like depression and suicide continue to affect many Nigerians, yet remain stigmatized topics. Cultural attitudes, fear of judgment, and lack of access to professional support often prevent people from seeking help.

Her call to “speak up” has become a powerful reminder of the importance of openness, compassion, and mental health awareness in today’s society.