We must explore all avenues to get to the root of a problem. According to an African proverb, "A wise man follows the advice of his neighbors, but a fool trusts his own illusions." The final episode on the theme of mental health discussion on the Pansa Pansa Podcast is about mental illness and addiction. It is such a delight to have Dr. Olawale Ojo as a guest to bring his expertise to our diaspora community as a psychiatrist specializing in addiction. In the past three episodes on mental health awareness, we have dived into the diversity of engaging topics. The purpose of this episode is to elaborate on the intersection between mental illness, addiction, and cultural stigma among Africans in the diaspora and mainly how these factors affect our youth as well as family relations.

Dr. Olawale Ojo leads the inpatient addiction psychiatry consult services at Methodist Hospital, serves as the medical director of the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and developed a dual diagnosis outpatient clinic at IUH Adult Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic at Goodman Hall. Additionally, he serves as the Associate Program Director of the IUSM Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship Program.

Please join me on the next episode with Dr. Olawale Ojo has he elaborates on the intersection between mental illness, addiction, and cultural stigma among Africans in the diaspora and mainly how these factors affect our youth as well as family relations.

These excerpts offers a glimpse into our discussion on mental illness and different types of addiction, specifically substance use, technology, gambling, and food, that may be more widespread or misunderstood in African immigrant families.