The secret to a person’s success in life is based on their mental wellness. Despite its significance, many individuals often give it the least amount of attention when it comes to health concerns.
In addition to the daily struggles that many people in low- and middle-income countries face, issues like rising living costs, hostile work environments, unfaithful friends, neglected families, and chronic illnesses have a negative impact on their mental health.
During an interaction with a businesswoman from Kampala, Joanita Namaganda said she was on the verge of going insane due to the numerous demands. Joanita’s husband left her and began a new relationship after 15 years of marriage, leaving her with four school-going children.
Joanita must spend more than 4 million Uganda shillings on school fees for her children before she can pay for any other costs because of the rising cost of education in Kampala. She started drinking at night to put her issue out of her mind and sleep.
Joanita’s issue is not exclusive to her. Unfortunately, a lot of individuals are experiencing this, and if it is not invested in and paid attention to, the prevalence of mental illnesses in the nation may increase.
A 2019 World Health Organization report claims that in low- and middle-income nations like Uganda where disease, ignorance, and poverty are rampant, the demand for ongoing mental healthcare can appear like a luxury.
According to Miller et al. (2020), Uganda has one of the top six rates of depressive disorders in Africa (4.6%), whereas 2.9% of the population suffers from anxiety disorders (WHO, 2017). The condition affects 5.1% of females and 3.6% of males.
Joel Ssentamu and other young people from Katwe claim that ongoing stress has made them more vulnerable to dangerous behaviours like criminal activity, irrational sexual behaviour, violence, domestic abuse, and drug use.
Most families do not understand how vital a person’s mental health is unless you or someone you love is affected by a mental illness.
Treatment for mental illness is ten times more costly, time-consuming, and upsetting than treatment for physical illness. Additionally, there aren’t many mental health professionals equipped to deal with the many, growing crises.
All physical illnesses have an impact on mental health, even though not all mental problems do the same.
A mental problem is anything that makes you feel weak and jeopardises your mental wellbeing. This encompasses a wide range of various situations and struggles in life, including issues at work, at home, with your partners, with your health, and with other relationships.
Rent defaults, debts, a scarcity of funds for personal upkeep, financial difficulties with school, the loss of a significant amount of time invested, problems in a marriage or relationship, and other problems can all contribute to mental disorders and, if left untreated, culminate in mental disease. Be careful.
Mental disease is avoidable. Keep an eye on your loved ones, pay a visit to a friend, be kind and giving by offering assistance in a variety of ways, and ask for assistance if you need it.
