Page 14 - The Plain Truth Spring-Summer 2026

Mary Hammond

Principal speaks out on

mental health

‘I stopped eating and disappeared.

It felt like I had nobody. I had no idea what to do.’

ust ahead of the recently-marked Mental A feeling of total isolation
Health Awareness Week (11th to 17th May When he began to lose his hair and was diagnosed with
J2026), College Principal Rev. Dr. Caleb Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Dr Nyanni stopped eating and
left Birmingham in March 2004. His parents had recently
5 **% .!2! (! $%/ )!*0 ( $! (0$ &+1.*!5 "+. returned to Ghana – where Dr Nyanni was born – and
0$! Ƃ./0 0%)! Ľ ((%*# 0$! $1. $ 0+ +ƈ!. !00!. admits he didn’t know where to turn.
support. Waverley Abbey’s recently-appointed ‘I went with my toothbrush and a rucksack. Truthfully,
+((!#! .%* %, (Ī !2 . (! 5 **%Ī $ / I didn’t expect to return to Birmingham – I wondered if
sharied his personal mental health experiences I would survive at all,’ he said. ‘I felt loneliness, isolation,
"+. 0$! Ƃ./0 0%)! Ľ 3$% $ %* (1 ! /1% % ( rejection and depression – it felt like I had nobody.’
Fleeing to London, Dr Nyanni spent two weeks in
thoughts, hair loss and depression. the spare bedroom of a friend’s flat where he closed
The former Dean of Studies and Programme the curtains, refused food, and prayed. ‘I felt like I had
Director at Birmingham Christian College is disappeared,’ he said. ‘I sought God. I cried. I felt empty.
calling the Church to do more to acknowledge It was like being in a trance.’
and support mental health when challenges on Dr Nyanni admitted he came to the end of his human
younger generations are increasing. strength and felt an overwhelming sense of peace after
three days of isolation – an experience he cites as a turning
The father of two experienced an intense period of point in his life and faith.
depression as a student living in Birmingham, while holding ‘I saw a radiant light and felt a presence sitting on my
leadership roles at an Elim congregation, volunteering in bed,’ he said. ‘I heard a voice telling me I was loved. Then
schools and completing a Theology degree. He believes I knelt down and felt God equipping me to be a leader.
the expectations attached to being a male, Christian leader I suddenly had a deep sense of peace and belonging. It was
isolated him and drove him close to suicide during the a transformative experience.’
early 2000s. Returning to Birmingham, Dr Nyanni completed
‘As a young man in my early 20s, I didn’t want to admit an undergraduate in Theology and went on to achieve
my battles,’ Dr Nyanni said. ‘Mental health was scary to a Masters and PHD at the University of Birmingham. As
me – it was widely undervalued. There was stigma in the well as being a teacher, mentor and author, he has benefited
Church, and I felt I couldn’t approach anyone. As a leader, from therapy in his personal life and has a foundation
I had to be bubbly – but inside I was shaking. I felt lonely certificate in counselling.
in a crowd. I had panic attacks – but I was trying to be “a Believing that therapy is a God-given task, Dr Nyanni
man”. My ego wouldn’t allow me to seek help. Nobody enrolled at Waverley Abbey College – thought to be one
should have to go through that.” of the leading providers of Counselling and Chaplaincy for

14 The Plain Truth Spring-Summer 2026 Find us online at www.plain-truth.org.uk