Nollywood actress and art curator Chidera Adiele has made an emotional public appeal for help after revealing that her younger brother has been battling mental illness for the past seven years.

In a heartfelt video shared on her Instagram page, the actress said her brother’s condition began in 2019, shortly after he gained admission into the University of Lagos (UNILAG). According to her, his health deteriorated further during his first academic session in 2020, marking the beginning of a long and difficult journey for the family.

Adiele said years of medical treatment have produced little lasting improvement, leaving both her and her family emotionally and financially exhausted.

Brother Reportedly Treated at Multiple Psychiatric Hospitals

According to Adiele, her brother has received treatment at several psychiatric and medical facilities across Nigeria over the years.

She said he has been admitted to at least seven different hospitals, including:

She explained that after spending approximately three months at the military hospital in Yaba, the facility informed the family that they could no longer keep him indefinitely and asked that he be taken home.

Actress Says She Has Carried the Burden Alone

Adiele described herself as the family’s first child and said she has served as her brother’s primary caregiver since his condition began.

She revealed that she moved out of the family home about five years ago to protect her young daughter from the challenges surrounding her brother’s illness. However, after her parents reportedly received a quit notice from their landlord, they moved back in with her, bringing the caregiving responsibilities back under her roof.

Speaking emotionally in the video, she said:

“They’ve brought this drama back to me, and worse is I have been his primary caregiver since all of this started. I’ve been the one taking him to all these hospitals.”

She also expressed the emotional toll the situation has taken on her, adding:

“I’m the first child. I’m tired. I’m so tired of carrying responsibilities that I had no business carrying.”

Emotional Appeal After Years of Medical Expenses

The actress said she has spent a significant amount of money on her brother’s treatment over the years but has not seen the recovery the family hoped for.

She appealed to members of the public for assistance, saying she has reached a point where she can no longer shoulder the responsibility alone.

At the time of reporting, Adiele had not stated the exact type of assistance she is requesting.

Social Media Users React to Her Emotional Video

Following the release of the video, many social media users expressed sympathy for the actress and praised her for speaking openly about the realities of caring for a loved one with severe mental illness.

Others also highlighted the difficulties many Nigerian families face in accessing long-term psychiatric care and support for people living with serious mental health conditions.

What Is Confirmed?

The following information is based on Adiele’s public statements and is confirmed to have been said by her:

• Chidera Adiele publicly shared a video appealing for help.
• She said her younger brother has battled mental illness since 2019.
• She said he has been treated at several psychiatric facilities.
• She described herself as his primary caregiver.
• She said she has spent years caring for him and is emotionally exhausted.

What Has Not Been Independently Verified?

The following claims come from Adiele’s personal account and have not been independently verified:

• The exact medical diagnosis of her brother.
• The reported role of drug addiction in his condition.
• The specific medical history and treatment outcomes at each hospital.
• The exact circumstances surrounding his discharge from medical facilities.

These remain her personal claims and should be attributed accordingly.