Faith Nyasuguta
In today’s world, grappling with various challenges ranging from soaring living expenses to pandemics, droughts, and economic turmoil, the pursuit of happiness has emerged as a significant objective globally, including in Africa.
The fourth annual ‘Mental State of the World’ report by the Global Mind Project, conducted by Sapien Labs, sheds light on the global decline in mental well-being since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Drawing insights from over 500,000 individuals across 71 countries, including Africa, the report delves into six-dimensional scores assessing mood & outlook, social self, drive & motivation, adaptability & resilience, cognition, and mind-body connection. These scores offer a detailed perspective on mental well-being dynamics.
A noteworthy finding of the report is that mental well-being has remained relatively stable worldwide since 2021, mirroring the consistent rankings of countries. Surprisingly, many Latin American and African nations top the rankings, contrasting with the lower quartile positions of much of the core Anglosphere. This challenges the common notion that prosperity correlates with well-being.
The report underscores the inverse relationship between economic indicators and mental well-being, as demonstrated in the 2021 findings. While countries with high per capita GDP and Human Development Index (HDI) often exhibited lower mental well-being scores, the reverse was observed in several African nations.
For instance, the United Kingdom recorded a modest Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) score of 49, trailing behind over 10 African countries that surpassed the 60 mark on the MHQ. Notably, Tanzania leads with the highest MHQ score of 88, followed closely by Nigeria and Zimbabwe at 83 and 74, respectively.
These findings underscore the importance of reevaluating traditional metrics of prosperity and well-being, emphasizing the need to prioritize mental health initiatives globally. In Africa, where resilience and social connectedness often prevail amidst adversity, there is a valuable opportunity to leverage these strengths to foster greater mental well-being and happiness.
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