By Canisius Mushibwe
Mental health issues have been a prevailing challenge in Africa for decades. The stigma of mental disorders is fed by a vacuum created because of a lack of information.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2017 estimate, 322 million people are living with depression, and 29. 9 million (9%) of these are living in Africa.
Africa Equity Media (AEM) speaks with suicide survivor Duncan Nkhoma who shares his story of how he overcame the mental challenges he struggled with for years.
/Africa Equity Media/
He joined YANA FOUNDATION, an organization that raises awareness about Mental Health in Zambia 🇿🇲.
Through Yana Foundation, Mr. Nkhoma got counseling which helped him cope with his condition.
He responded well to the medication, to which he gradually made recovery.
Today he is a member of same foundation whose platform enables him reach out to people struggling with a mental health disorders.
According to Clinical Psychologist, Shibeleka Chata, some African cultural norms can be a huge impediment to divulge deep seated, troubling issues such as abuse, suffering, etc. and this may leave issues unresolved or untreated hence excercerbating mental illnesses.
/Africa Equity Media/
LINK: The Yana Foundation
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