Okuntakinte's Last Supper Highlights Lessons on Mental Health and Society’s Blind Spot

The stigma surrounding mental health persists, creating a chasm between those suffering and the understanding they desperately seek. Joseph Nana Kwame Awuah-Darko, known as Okuntakinte, has put a human face to this struggle, challenging society’s perception of mental illness through his deeply personal initiative, The Last Supper.

Bipolar disorder is a condition characterized by extreme mood swings, shifting between manic highs and depressive lows. While many individuals find relief through therapy and medication, treatment-resistant bipolar disorder presents a cruel reality—no available treatment offers lasting relief.

For individuals like Okuntakinte, the daily battle with an unrelenting mental illness can feel unbearable. Despite years of seeking help, his journey led him to a difficult yet deeply personal decision: to pursue assisted euthanasia in the Netherlands. After four years of navigating legal and medical processes, his request was approved. But before taking his final steps, he embarked on a farewell journey through food, conversation, and human connection.

Rather than retreat into isolation, Okuntakinte has chosen to fill his final months with warmth and companionship. Through The Last Supper, he invites strangers, friends, and well-wishers to share a meal with him. The concept, inspired by the Harvard Study of Adult Development, underscores the profound impact of human relationships on well-being. His initiative is not just about bidding farewell—it is a powerful commentary on the importance of connection, empathy, and community in the face of suffering.

This unconventional farewell resonates with thousands. Social media has become a bridge between him and those who understand or wish to understand his journey. Thousands have volunteered to cook for him, demonstrating a collective yearning for meaning, shared experience, and healing through community.

Okuntakinte’s story raises critical questions: How does society address the needs of those battling mental illness? Why does suffering have to be visible to be acknowledged? Mental health care in many countries remains underfunded and stigmatized. In South Africa, for instance, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) reports that one in three individuals will experience a mental health challenge in their lifetime, yet only a small fraction receive adequate support.

The reluctance to openly discuss mental illness perpetuates isolation. Many individuals suffering from severe mental disorders feel unheard, unseen, and unsupported. The lack of open conversations about mental health reinforces the dangerous notion that mental pain is not as valid as physical suffering.

The global conversation on mental health is evolving, but progress is slow. Stories like Okuntakinte’s serve as a wake-up call, urging individuals, communities, and policymakers to take action. If we truly believe that every life matters, we must:

1. Encourage open, stigma-free discussions on mental health in schools, workplaces, and communities.

   
   

2. Advocate for better funding, increased mental health services, and policies that prioritize well-being.

   
   

3. Recognize that suffering is not a competition. Mental anguish is just as real and debilitating as physical pain.

   
   

4. Foster community support: Checking in on loved ones, offering a listening ear, and providing support can make a significant difference.

   
   

A Legacy Beyond Goodbye

On July 30, 2025, Okuntakinte will take his final steps in the Netherlands, where his assisted euthanasia request has been granted. But before that moment arrives, his dinners will continue—spaces filled with laughter, stories, and understanding. His journey is not just about saying goodbye; it is a testament to the enduring power of human connection.

His legacy will live on in the conversations he started, the stigma he challenged, and the lives he touched. If his story compels us to act—to listen, to support, to fight for better mental health awareness—then perhaps his final message is not one of departure, but of lasting change.

For those struggling with mental health, resources and support are available. Reach out, speak up, and remember: no one should have to fight their battles alone.