The ManicaPost
Dr Machinga Mental Health
In my work as a psychotherapist, I have realised that many people do not understand issues pertaining mental health as a result they do not seek help in time. Yet, the importance of early detection for mental health issues cannot be taken lightly.
Many mental health challenges when not attended to in early onset may cause serious problems ranging from physical, social, intellectual, spiritual and psychological.
It is sad that the proportion of individuals who actually receive treatment or help from mental health professionals, mental health care system or even in the general health care system is very low as compared to people who suffer in communities.
This is because there are many misconceptions, myths and stigma surrounding this area of mental health.
I find many people asking me questions about mental health as they do not understand.
This article seeks to promote mental health help seeking behaviours so that people prevent serious illnesses. Interacting with people, I have come to realise that many people are not well informed about mental health problems hence lack awareness of these.
This lack of awareness of mental health issues is not just a one person’s problem it is actually our problem as communities, organisations and families.
So why not take your time to learn about these through mental health first aid programs or awareness activities offered here in Mutare.
What is mental health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, make ends meet, relate to others, and make choices in life. World Health Organisation defines mental health as: A state of well-being in which a person realises 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.
This is important since for someone to function well one has to be in sound mental health remember they say there is no health without mental health. Mental health issues range from having problems in sleep-insomnia, anxiety attacks, depression, substance use disorders, stress related problems, psychosis, post-traumatic stress and many others.
There is no need for people to continue suffering from all these when help is available.
Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. It is crucial that you understand the significance of identifying that someone may be struggling with a mental health issue and refer them for help, early intervention,individual psychotherapy, group therapy or medical care.
Awareness is key for understanding what mental health is and how families can receive the help they need. Public knowledge is important in accessing community resources.
I have also realised that mental health awareness is important in that mental health problems are common in our communities especially with the challenges that our country Zimbabwe is going through.
There are a lot of stresses around us these days namely financial issues, family related challenges, work related stresses, unemployment and many others.
Some people and families find it hard to cope, thereby, sometimes resorting to unhealthy ways of coping such as suicide, violence, criminal activities or substance abuse.
It is therefore important that people seek help early. Another problem is that stigma is associated with mental health problems and yet this is just something that is like any other physical illness. People do not seek help because they are afraid of what people say.
This is why everyone needs to learn basic information about mental health.
Why is maintaining good mental health is important?
Just as physical fitness helps our bodies to stay strong, mental fitness helps us to function, realise our capabilities and full potential.
Nurturing our mental health can also help us combat or prevent the mental health problems that are sometimes associated with many chronic physical illnesses such as stroke, heart attacks, ulcers, back pains etc.
Remember people with mental health problems often do not seek help and may not even know that they have a problem until it is worse so let us all as families and communities act and refer people to health institutions or mental health professionals for care.
Dr Mazvita Machinga is a Mutare based psychotherapist for more help , information and access to local resources on psychotherapy and professional counseling call 0778 83 84 10 or 0771 754 519 email [email protected]
