Mental health, a cause for concern
By Letwin Mubonesi
The world might be evolving and discovering better ways to understand and deal with problems it faces with mental health being one of the least understood topics particularly in Zimbabwe as people associate it with evil spirits, demons and curses; both traditionally and among various religious sects.
In some cases mental health patients are regarded as lazy, fragile, selfish or even crazy but that is rarely ever the case. Research has shown that Africa has the highest number of people who suffer from depression.
According to a recent study by researchers at Australia’s University of Queensland, the Middle East and North African regions suffer the world’s highest depression rates leading to a massive loss of lives over the years. Zimbabwe is not spared from cases of depression.
Anxiety and depression, alcohol and substance abuse disorders and organic mental disorder are among some of the most common mental health problems in Zimbabwe.
Recently a Harare Polytechnic student, Takudzwa Chifamba committed suicide after he failed to fathom news that his girlfriend of 4 years has eloped to another man.
Due to the lack of knowledge concerning depression and other mental health problems, most people end up shying away and not seeking the help they need and this results in suicide.
Family spokesperson Brian Chifamba confirmed that he failed to get counselling in time leading to his death. “He failed to receive immediate counselling after he learnt about his lover’s pregnancy for another man.”
A 22-year-old Great Zimbabwe University student also committed suicide after his girlfriend dumped him last month. Desire Mungoma decided to kill himself after his girlfriend ended their relationship.
A number of activists across the country have emerged to fight the stigmatisation of mental health patients along with the already existing groups such as Christian Counselling Centre, Connect and Friendship Bench, with most of them using social media platforms as well as radio and television programmes to create awareness among citizens.
Though greatly appreciated, these efforts are still far from getting to the core of the problem, mainly because of the media used.
About larger percent of Zimbabwe’s population is rural-based and is less participative on social media sites such Instagram and Twitter hence less population is reached.
Faith Sibanda, an expert in indigenous knowledge, however, believes most of the conditions that people now suffer from were heavily managed within the indigenous systems, reducing the effects of mental health conditions.
“In the African traditional context, depression and stress are viewed as a result of bottling issues up until a point of no return. Indigenous societies did not allow such a scenario to occur.
Uncles and aunts had a duty to monitor the behaviour of family members to see if they were in an unpleasant mood so that they could find out the cause and solve it.
Some of the situations that depress people nowadays were handled in a systematic manner so that damage would be avoided,” she said.
Meanwhile, a grade 3 pupil from Queensdale Primary School committed suicide in a shocking incident. Farai Munemo (9) from Glenwood Park, Epworth is said to have resorted to taking the drastic action of hanging himself after he had an altercation with his sibling and his mother called him off.
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