Depression is a serious mood disorder and in many cases, entails one losing interest in daily activities. The feeling of internal lack of calmness is almost the worst experience to have and to think that it is the most common mental disability which has no boundaries when it comes to age, race, religion and species is in itself terrifying. As sad as it is, depression is one of the main things that connects humanity. Unfortunately, the common feelings of hurt, isolation and pain is what connects the human race and people get to live with such feelings on a daily basis.
It is said that depression feels like an unending battle occurring in one’s mind that involves the want to set themselves free from pain and guilt (most common feelings during depression), but simultaneously the mind convinces them that they are weak and should just give up the fight. Depression deals with body, breaks it down, crumbles the mind and makes one vulnerable to any simple form of mere utterance or action that most times, are not directed to that individual. A fake smile, laugh serves one right when in public and still being able to encourage and motivate others while drowning in their own chaos. They mask agony incredibly well to seem strong to the public eye but once they return back to their place of rest, it unveils itself.
“How dare an African say that he or she is depressed?” – The reality of it all. It is nearly an atrocity to show signs of weakness when you are African, almost like we were born with strength in our DNA. Searching for help and discussing one’s pain are typically considered weaknesses and almost no one wants to exhibit such trait, especially in Africa. In fact, many are not aware that there is such a word as depression in the vocabulary due to lack of access to education; that vocabulary is non-existent. On the other hand, people are aware that they are depressed, however they choose to live in denial thinking it will just magically disappear because of religion, race and more. Instead of confronting the issue, they describe the meaning of depression using phrases like “the heart is tired” or “the Lord is my strength”.
Depression has become more notably apparent and complex in African countries and with its level rising on the scale, there are little to no mental health centres to aid rehabilitation. Study shows that rates of depression in Africa is higher than those in Europe or the United States and in Africa, Nigeria contains the highest number of depressed individuals in the whole of Africa. Women are also affected double the rate of men. In Nigeria, infants with depressed mothers are more prone to have diarrhoea, infections and poor nutrition intake. The art of silencing pain has been perfected amongst its people and this has dehumanised generations.
“DEPRESSION IS NOT FOR BLACKS, IT’S NOT IN OUR CULTURE OR HERITAGE”, they say. Allowing people to wallow in pain and suffering. Discouraging them from speaking their truth and discussing their heart ache. Why do Africans continue to allow ourselves die internally? Hands and legs may still be able to move, and our hearts may still be beating but that doesn’t mean we are alive on the inside. Oh depression! Africans force themselves to believe that there is no such thing, yet we hurt internally every second because of the fear of disappointing religion, race and heritage, not knowing that the consequence only allows sorrow to seep down the African heritage roots even further. The youths are left to find comfort in other things deadly, for example harmful drugs, but not treatment.
Depression craves for both attention and isolation. It is almost like the mind draws one into uncountable number of thoughts about one’s self in one second. The confusion it causes breeds hopelessness, discouragement and weakness. Lots of darkness on the inside, yet no one sees it, only the one being oppressed. Being in a room full of plenty people, yet one feels alone, lost, isolated and found deep in their thoughts that even they may not understand themselves.
Why do we fear help and vulnerability so much that we prefer to lay deep in pain?
On numerous occasions, children who turn to their parents or guardians are often times left unanswered as they too, are not custom to receiving care or love when going through similar situations.
A typical conversation in an African household between a child who recognises that he or she is depressed and then proceeds to seek for help from the father would probably follow this format.
Child: Dad, I have been feeling quite depressed lately, I just don’t feel good.
Dad: God! I don’t know why you put yourself in such mood, it’s all in your mind. You think I haven’t gone through it before? It’s normal to feel down, but why are you now putting a name on your sadness? It’s really annoying.
From that moment on, that child’s enthusiasm to find relief in their parents drops and they are habitually left alone to dwell on their feeling.
Here goes a different dialogue between a child who lacks the awareness that he or she is depressed and goes further to search for reassurance and assistance from the mother.
Child: Mum, I have not been myself lately, I often find myself crying for no reason and have high anxiety when I am in public. I do not know what is wrong with me!
Mum: You children of now a days are being spoilt too much! In my days, we were toughened up. Do you think your dad and I haven’t experienced that before? It’s normal, go and keep yourself busy!
Typical way of people trying to deflate one’s problem by comparing the main issue to an incident that may have occurred from their past.
Social stigma towards discussing depression keeps the cycle going, thereby reducing awareness and increasing its victims. Undoubtedly, many experience low moods, however, they do not classify it as the sickness that it actually is. It is often regarded as the normal part of life and thus, they hide pain and suffering – usually shielded with fake acts of smiles and laughs to relatives, friends, and public. The youths are left to deflect their pain using drugs.
Sources show that more than 25% of African women are suffering from depression and 85% of them lack access to treatment. It is considered the first cause of disability for African women in their reproductive age.
Patriarchy…. Patriarchy…. Patriarchy…. The destroyer of both female and male. Unknowingly to many, patriarchy has placed on both sexes unrealistic social expectations. Females are required to act a certain way, whether it be true to who they are as a person or not, while males are told that showing signs of weakness means that he is not a man. Built in emotions brews in persistent sadness which leads to worse case, depression. According to global health agency, depression is the major cause of suicide deaths.
Many would say:“How won’t Africans be depressed?Africa has the highest poverty rate than anywhere else in the world, our unemployment level is high!We don’t have good health care facilities, our family members and friends are dying!There is conflict and abuse everywhere!These are just a few to mention.Now, how won’t we be depressed?”
It is indisputably true Africa’s high poverty and unemployment rate plays a key role regarding the causes of depression, the desire for money when it is not available pushes it further. However, the fact remains that suffering stems from ignorance. It is impossible to cure a sickness that lacks awareness. Disregard for understanding the meaning of depression and knowing that it has no boundaries, it lays access to whoever it chooses; all age brackets. Attitudes have to be changed before change can occur. Shortage of mental health centres stems from our nonchalant attitudes of not taking depression serious in Africa. Creating more facilities that encourage learning, sports and arts would help less the depression level.
Few symptoms of depression includes guilt, anxiety, feeling of hopelessness, weight gain or weight loss, social isolation, excessive crying, suicidal thoughts, insomnia and lack of concentration.
Let us learn to be supportive when someone discloses that they are depressed.
Here are some tips that you could use when conversing with a depressed person:
- Listen more than talk,
- Do not be in a rush to advice,
- Ask questions to fully understand how they are feeling,
- Make sure to offer reassurance when they talk by saying “Thank you for telling me” or “We
will find a way out of this”.
Comments
Post a Comment