By Toye Faleye
The recent passing of Nick Imudia, former MD of Konga and CEO of D.light, has left many in shock.
His apparent suicide has sparked a flurry of discussions, with some attributing it to the pressures of his high-flying career.
As someone who had achieved great success and wealth, it seems inconceivable that he would resort to taking his own life.
However, mental health does not discriminate, and even the most accomplished individuals can struggle with burnout, depression, and suicidal ideation.
Imudia’s death serves as a stark reminder that mental health matters must be taken seriously.
Burnout
Burnout, in particular, is a silent killer that can creep up on anyone, regardless of their station in life. The constant pressure to perform, the fear of failure, and the need to maintain a perfect facade can all take a toll on one’s mental wellbeing.
Perhaps Imudia wanted to meet up with the target set before him, as well as be perfect, not minding overworking himself. He must have contended with an untreated work place BURNOUT where he struggled with both physical and emotional exhaustion, leading to the feeling of a negative self-concept about himself.
The burnout would have made him slide into depression, and afterwards suicide. Burnout suggests that a person’s job expectations are higher than reality; an unrealistic and tall ambition.
An unrelieved burnout will lead to depression, and a protracted depression will often result in suicide. That’s how it works.
Those who suffer depression always keep mute about their mental condition, otherwise if he had confided in someone, the challenge could have been confronted. The beginning of the solution to depression starts from speaking out about the condition.
You can cope with burnout by monitoring yourself, communicating your challenge with someone, not seeing yourself as a perfectionist, and shunning loneliness among others.
Nevertheless, try to get in touch with your counselor or therapist who will recommend other things that will help you cope with the mental challenge.
Depression
Depression, another silent assassin, can manifest in various ways, including feelings of sadness, despair, worthlessness, and hopelessness. If left untreated, it can lead to suicidal ideation, as seen in Imudia’s case.
Imudia must have found himself in a state of exogenous depression, and was overwhelmed by low-self esteem upon thinking that he was not achieving his target.
He might as well be plagued with anxiety, insomnia and other physical symptoms.
He might have drifted to loneliness, battling very poor appetite, and totally withdrawn from friends and other social activities.
If Imudia’s depression was treated with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) where cognitive distortions, irrational beliefs and maladaptive tendencies not based on reality were challenged and replaced by rational thoughts he might be saved.
To save him, therapeutic interventions such as mindfulness, problem solving skills, assertive training, Jacobson Progressive Muscle Relaxation (JPMR), stress management, coping strategies and others could be employed.
Suicidal ideation
From his depressive state came the irrational thinking such as, ‘I’m tired of this life,’ ‘I don’t think I can make it again,’ ‘I have failed.’ Then suicidal ideation crept in.
First it would appear as suicidal threats: “I can’t just take it anymore,” and, “Take care of my family when I’m gone.”
In the case of Imudia he had sent a message to his brother on how to share his properties, and instructed his daughter from previous relationship that whenever she wanted him she should look up in the sky and would always be there for her.
Threats will gravitate to suicide attempt where an individual takes action that will lead to death if not interrupted. In the case of Imudia nobody could interrupt. He jumped from the balcony of his Lekki apartment and died a brutal death.
Another stage of suicide is gesture which Imudia did not allow at all. If he had thought of taken an overdose of some drugs in a place where he had planned for rescue, it would just appear as a gesture. He might be saved.
The last stage of suicidal ideation is death. It’s disheartening that Imudia died by suicide. He has finished his race.
If only burnout, depression and other accompanying mental issues were treated, Imudia could probably have been saved. However, a man will die one way.
It is essential to recognize the signs of burnout and depression and seek help before it’s too late. Speaking out about one’s struggles, seeking professional help, and practising self-care can all make a difference.
If he had sought the timely intervention of a counselor, therapist and clinical psychologist, this grimly tragic death could have been averted.
Toye Faleye is a media and journalism professional who also works as a counselor and therapist.
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