Understanding Mental Illness
Today is Mental Illness Awareness Day. I got the inclination to write this Blog because I have my Zimbabwean community in mind. I speak of the Zimbabwean community because my heart bleeds when I see and hear the stigma that is still associated with mental illness in Zimbabwe. This stigma knows no borders and its all over the world. Allow me to re-state, I am writing this blog to my world community.
Growing up in the church, I heard pastors preach that going to a psychiatrist was not an option, it meant that one had lost control and had turned away from Jesus. Mental illness was a tool of Satan. Because of the stigma surrounding this illness, many ended up roaming the streets. Culturally people believed that these people had wronged their dead parents so they were now paying for their sin – “kutanda botso” . Taking Antidepressants was not even an option, but wait! You gotta see a psychiatrist to get the prescription first right?
The Christian community in Zimbabwe is the worst, especially the charismatic community. If you share openly that you are feeling depressed or feeling suicidal, the whole church will put their hand on you and pray for the demon to come out of you. I once heard Joanne Goodwin, a pastor’s wife, inspirational speaker who lives with bipolar disease say: “I shared with one of our church members that I had been diagnosed with depression and was taking anti-depressants, she looked at me and said, you should just throw the medication down the toilet and trust in Jesus”. Joanne said what ruined the advise from this individual was that she was wearing prescription glasses herself so Joanne responded, “why don’t you throw your glasses down the toilet and we will do it together”.
While the Christians say have faith and pray for what you are feeling to go away, others say those with mental illness should control their thoughts, and actions? One of the side effects of mental illness is the inability to focus, how can one FOCUS or control their thoughts when they are inundated with racing thoughts, unwanted thoughts, negative thoughts, voices, anguishing over someone else’s soul etc. It’s like telling a kid with autism, just tell yourself to stop screaming or someone with Alzheimer’s, focus, you know who I am: It doesn’t work that way.
Some even go further by labeling people with mental illness, in Zimbabwe, people use words like “Sascam”, “Benzi” etc. In North America, the list is long. The labeling needs to stop! Labeling increases the stigma against people with mental illness and it becomes a major barrier to those seeking help especially young people. I am alarmed by the number of young Zimbabweans in US and Canada committing suicide, especially young men. It’s very difficult for them to admit that they need help let alone when the help needed is mental illness related.
I had the privilege of taking the mental health first aid course a few years back while working for Family Services of Greater Vancouver. If I had my way, I would have this as a class in all high schools and I would encourage all adults to take it. I walked away with a better understating and respect for those with mental illness.
With almost 16 million people, Zimbabwe has a critical shortage of psychiatrist. They have 12 for the whole country. That is shocking but not shocking. Its because they do not see mental illness as a huge problem. In a May 7, 2016 Chronicle article, Dr Timothy Stamps, health adviser for Zimbabwe cabinet said “mental problems that are caused by among other factors poverty, unemployment and stress pose a great challenge for the country.” Indeed, mental illness is caused by a combination of things from genetics, biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Focusing on the poverty. Unemployment and stress would imply that if these issues are resolved, the illness will be cured, that is far from the truth.
Zimbabwe people are crying for help, many turn to the church as that’s the only option they have. Even the prophets are now making money from desperate mental health patients and their families. I wish I could stand on top of the mountain and share the message to stop blaming witchcraft and putting neighbors against neighbors, family members against each other in an attempt to find why your child, mother, father, brother or sister is suffering from mental illness.
My dream, is that of having a telehealth type of system around the world whereby people from around the world can call to get help. Just knowing that they are not alone, that there is help, that there is someone willing to listen to them with NO JUDGEMENT, could save some lives.
Tell those you know around you who suffer from mental illness that they are not alone. Better yet, encourage someone who has the symptoms but has not sought out help to do so.
Trish Mandewo is Wife, Mom, Savvy Business woman, Speaker, Mentor, Facilitator, Vissionary and a Blogger.
