Mental health for all

BY LEULSEGED WORKU

 
Mental health disorder is becoming a serious problem all over the world. Ethiopia is one of the countries that have become the victim of the case. Scholars are suggesting that mental health disorder is being exacerbated following the outbreak of COVID-19, political instability and economic challenges.

Dr. Misker Kasahun, is Country Director for GIV society Ethiopia, a non-profitable organization that works to help and inspire individuals with mental disorders.

According to her, the absence of sufficient psychologists together with poor knowledge among the society about mental disorder is one serious factor that creates challenge in helping individuals who are victims of mental disorder.

What is more, there is a deep-rooted negative attitude among most of the society and stigmatizing victims of mental problems. Even there is a poor tendency of contacting psychologists or specialists before the problem gets worse.

“Mental health disorder is curable if properly managed and if there is support from family as well as from the community. However, the majority considered the case incurable and individuals with mental health disorder are stigmatized. The use of harsh words that hurt the psychology of individuals with mental health disorder is another area where we see stigmatization among the society. This trend has to be changed.”

According to her, in comparison with the total number of the society, the number of health facilities that provide service to individuals with mental disorders and psychological problems is still low. This needs due attention from the government as well as the policy makers.

Dr. Misker said, when the nation spends one USD on mental health disorder problems, it saves four USD in the economy. This shows how the issue of mental wellness and the economy is interrelated and how the former brings about undesirable impact on the latter.

According to her, the problem of supporting individuals with mental health disorders is not only limited by policy gaps or other issues. Rather, society by itself is contributing its share in aggravating the case by stigmatizing those individuals with mental disorders and psychological problems. Those NGOs and other stakeholders should be part of the system in helping victims of mental health disorders.

“Despite all the gaps and challenges, improvements are being witnessed in the country. This is especially true within the past two years. The attention given by the Ministry of Health to mental disorders is a good indication of this.”

Asked what type of mental disorder is becoming a serious challenge to Ethiopia, Dr. Misker said that depression and anxiety are the two main observed mental disorders that we are currently observing in Ethiopia. These two mental disorders are increasing from time to time. The use of technology, particularly social media, has exacerbated the problem among the youths. She also said, individuals who are victims of schizophrenia and bipolar are also increasing.

What is more, in addition to technology related causes, the existing economic and political instability are mentioned as a cause for depression and anxiety in the country.

Dr. Misker said, the youths are becoming more and more victims of mental health disorders. This mostly resulted from improper use of technologies. Over exposure to the internet, comparing one`s life with others, restlessness are also becoming additional sources of depression and anxiety among the teenagers. Our lifestyle, bullying and others are also contributing to mental health disorders among the youths.

The psychologist also said that women are more vulnerable than men for mental disorders. Hormonal change, responsibility, biological factors and other related causes have made women more susceptible to the problem.

Alta Counseling General Manager, Wondwossen Teshome, on his part said, lack of awareness about mental disorders and psychological problems is one challenge for the expansion of the case. Like other body diseases, mental health disorder is common. If it gets proper treatment, there is no way it cannot be cured.