Heart to Heart… and other body parts

Picture this; What if we treated mental health like physical health? 

We’d rest without guilt, pause when overwhelmed, and reach out for help without fear or shame. Mental health wouldn’t feel like a taboo or a mystery, it would be a normal part of care, as accessible as your nearest dispensary. 

But that’s not our reality, is it…at least not yet. 

Did you know that 1 out of 8 people globally suffer from mental health disorders, with approximately 25% of Kenyans being among them? To add on to this, mental health disorders account for 13% of the total disease burden in Kenya, yet approximately 75% of Kenyans are unable to access the necessary care. Isn’t it time we matched our response to the scale of the problem?  

Mental health 101.

Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It’s a state that allows people to cope with stress, utilize their abilities, learn effectively, work productively, and contribute to their community. It’s not only about the absence of a mental disorder, but also your general well-being and overall health. 

Mental health disorders, as per WHO, are characterized by a clinically significant disturbance in a person’s cognition, emotional regulation or behavior. It is usually associated with distress or impairment in important areas of functioning. Some common cases you have probably heard of include anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD), Schizophrenia, eating disorders, neurodevelopment disorders, Attention Deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder and disruptive behavior disorders. 

Anyone can be at risk for developing a mental health disorder, but the people at a higher risk are:  

• Individuals with a family history of mental illness  

• People going through stressful life events  

• Certain medical conditions (cancer, diabetes, epilepsy and heart disease)  

• Traumatic experiences  

• Substance abuse and poor lifestyle choices (lack of proper sleep, exercise or nutrition). 

Barriers and Stigma 

I think the biggest challenge around fighting mental health care is the stigma around the topic. There are a lot of cultural beliefs surrounding mental health illness, with it being considered witchcraft or demonic, leading to patients being isolated and regarded as outcasts. Don’t get me wrong, I think faith healers play a big role in the provision of care, as many patients attribute their mental disorders to a spiritual dimension, but it is important to recognize the medical capacity surrounding mental health disorders. In an ideal world, the two combined can be a step forward in improving mental health care. 

 It’s not just cultural and religious beliefs that cause the stigma, though. There is a lot of judgment from peers, especially for men seeking mental health care support. The community around us still believes that seeking mental health support is a show of weakness. This is the reason behind the low mental health literacy that we still face. 

Apart from the stigma, there are limited resources for mental health care. Kenya has a large shortage of psychiatrists and psychologists, especially in rural areas. The public facilities available lack essential equipment or medication. 

A tell-tale…. 

A year ago, I was working in Northern Kenya when I met the only psychiatrist in one of the counties. He was leading a training for teachers on mental health and shared a story that has stuck with me since. When he first arrived, he met a man wandering the streets, dirty, disoriented, and in psychosis. People referred to him simply as “the madman.” No one did anything, he was just part of the background. 

But the doctor admitted him to the hospital. After assessment and treatment, the man was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He had gone missing during a manic episode months before. Unsurprisingly, with the right medication and care, he made a full recovery and was reunited with his family. 

That story shifted something in me. It made me realize how scarce our resources are, how little I knew at the time, how easy it is for people with mental disorders to be dismissed without getting help and how even I, someone working in health, was part of the problem. It showed me that mental illnesses are treatable. With the right care, people get better. 

What can you do as an individual to improve your mental well-being… 

• Communicate and seek help, and on the other hand, support and encourage your loved ones. Public health is the work of a community, so let’s help each other. 

• Exercise: I love how nutrition and exercise are being encouraged everywhere. A healthy lifestyle is a good foundation for improving our health and well-being. 

• It’s also important to practice mindfulness and self-care. Practice gratitude every day and take necessary breaks, too. 

• Seek professional help- A lot of resources on the internet can help you self-diagnose, which should only be used as a steppingstone for seeking care. The same way you can self-diagnose malaria is the same way you can’t diagnose mental health illness. Also, therapy is such a wonderful tool to improve your well-being.  

LydiaKM Instagram provides contacts to various therapists who can help kick-start your mental health journey.Link 

Let’s keep the conversation going…. 

Mental health is part of our shared human experience. It affects families, workplaces, schools, and faith spaces. Let’s make it less scary to talk about. Let’s normalize caring for our minds by learning, acting, and building support together. 

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Until our next heart-to-heart conversation……