Despite increasing awareness, mental health remains stigmatized, leading to discrimination, misunderstanding, and inadequate support. One of the greatest challenges in recent years has been gaining widespread recognition of mental health as a critical health issue. This global health crisis affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and socioeconomic statuses but often goes undiagnosed and untreated in many parts of the world. This has left many people suffering in silence, battling invisible wounds that have a significant impact on their lives. A few years ago, I had a deeply personal experience with mental health issues through a close friend who meant a great deal to me. During the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns, we spent a good amount of time together, and our friendship grew even stronger. We had a great bond that others admired, filled with laughter, cookouts, shopping, and simply enjoying life. Everything felt normal for a while, but then small changes began to happen. He stopped coming to our morning workouts, which he enjoyed and had proposed we do together. At first, I didn’t think much of it since we still spent time on other routines. But as time passed, I began to notice significant changes that hinted something was not quite right. Being outspoken, I decided to talk to him about it and ask whether everything was all right. I even proposed taking a short vacation to get a change of scenery now that the lockdown had ended and traveling was easier. But every time I tried to ask how he was doing or what was the matter, he quickly shut me down and changed the subject. He became more sensitive, reacting strongly to situations that seemed minor to me. I remember he got extremely upset because I didn’t stand beside him while he cooked our special meal. He started shouting, asking why I couldn’t just stay by his side, which felt completely out of proportion to me. Small disagreements that we used to laugh off began turning into serious arguments, sometimes escalating far beyond what seemed necessary. I’ll never forget how angry he would get whenever his favorite football team lost, often directing his frustration at me as if I were somehow to blame. I was confused by his behavior but brushed it off as mood swings, convincing myself it was just a phase that would eventually pass. As time went by, my friend seemed to struggle even more. He withdrew more and more from the activities he once loved. He had previously committed to therapy, something he told me he started in his early 20s to deal with challenges from his childhood. But as his motivation went down, he began skipping sessions, and soon, he stopped going altogether. I even offered to accompany him to therapy, hoping it might encourage him, but he quickly dismissed the idea. His behavior became increasingly concerning. His eating habits also became erratic; some days he would overeat, while on others, he’d go a day or two without food. There were times he would lock himself in his room, surrounded by silence, skipping showers and daily routines. This was someone who had always taken pride in how he looked and smelled. Slowly, the best friend I knew seemed to be slipping away, buried under emotions he could no longer express. The breaking point came when he attempted suicide. He had secretly purchased a rope, hiding his intentions well. We had just spent a weekend together with a few of our friends, and he seemed to be doing exceptionally well. He was his old self, even hugging me goodbye while cracking a joke as we left his house with one of his neighbors. However, as soon as we were gone, he took the opportunity to try and end his life. Fortunately, the neighbor had left his laptop charger at my friend’s house, and attempts to reach him through the phone (friend) were futile). He got so worried, decided to rush back and when he arrived, the front door was locked. After ringing the bell with no response, he went around to the back and found him hanging, from a rope, unconscious. He quickly took control of the situation, and my friend was rushed to the hospital. This occurrence greatly shocked and worried me. The weekend had been a time well spent, and he seemed to be in high spirits. Later on, I came to learn that his struggles were rooted in traumas that stretched back to childhood; layered pains that had accumulated and finally became unbearable, leading him to severe depression. This incident taught me that mental health issues aren’t always visible, but there are signs we can learn to recognize. Beyond my personal experience, working at the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) has allowed me to engage with significant professionals who are dedicated to addressing mental health issues. Initiatives such as the Mental Health Data Prize Africa (MHDPA) are seeking to bridge critical gaps in the understanding of anxiety, depression, and psychosis across Africa and beyond. With at least 116 million people globally living with mental health issues, including depression, the Mental Health Data Prize Africa (MHDPA) initiative has created a vital platform for innovators, researchers, startups, and people with lived experience to propose solutions to these pressing challenges. Supporting someone facing mental health challenges requires patience, understanding, and compassion, often from their loved ones. Recognizing the signs and encouraging them to seek help can make all the difference. It’s essential to educate ourselves on the symptoms of mental health disorders and learn to recognize the signs that our loved ones may need help. A simple gesture, a conversation, a shared meal, a listening ear, or a paid therapy session gift can serve as the lifeline that someone desperately needs.