…..let’s talk about it
Did you know that mental illness is actually not just depression, mental illness includes schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorder and anxiety, in a nutshell it’s an illness that produces psychotic symptoms.
People tend to lean more towards depression and it’s the only metal illness they talk about at length. In Africa a mental illness is associated with evil spirits and curses etc. There was a novelist from Zimbabwe Dambudzo Marechera, he unfortunately died at a very young age, it is alleged that he suffered from schizophrenia and you know what they said about him? They said his mother was cursed by her relatives so she was requested to curse her child and she chose Dambudzo hence him being schizophrenic.
Just reading about his earlier life, one can pick out the warning signs but the family chose not to do something about it because…curse. You can suffer from an eating disorder and your family will associate it with genetics “akatora bhonzo ratete vake” (she’s like her aunt). If you show any signs of anxiety, nervousness, you are rebuked and told not to be afraid, verses might be quoted to you and you are left to deal wit your anxiety and some unfortunately fail to. If you are depressed and withdraw, you are said to be moody and rebuked even more! Your mother might even attempt to beat the moodiness out of you.
Most homes are not safe for those with mental illnesses. According to WHO mental health is “… a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” From all the definitions I read, this one was simple to understand the rest sounded like they are describing findings from a clinical trial lol
Our generation, God Bless have been exposed to mental illness directly or indirectly and we are more aware, hopefully we will be the change. Mental health is possible all round but it begins at home. Hope this will be an issue that we address more and hopefully our homes will be safe places. There is enough evil out there to have it residing in our homes too.
