There's no shame in taking care of your mental health | Sangu Delle

Summary

The speaker candidly shares his journey with anxiety and the cultural stigma surrounding mental health in African communities. He describes the misconceptions and lack of resources in Africa, where mental health is often equated with madness and is deeply stigmatized. Drawing from personal experiences and statistics, he calls for an end to the silence and stigma, advocating for open conversations and the recognition of mental health as integral to overall well-being.

Takeaways

• 😔 The speaker experienced immense personal turmoil and anxiety, which affected their work and daily life.
• 😷 The concept of mental health was initially met with resistance and shame due to cultural stigmas associated with it.
• 🌍 Mental health is a global issue, affecting the ability to cope with life's stressors and contribute to society.
• 🏥 There is a significant disparity in mental health care, with low-income countries bearing the majority of cases but receiving minimal investment.
• 🇳🇬 In Nigeria, there is a severe shortage of psychiatrists, with only an estimated 200 for a population of nearly 200 million.
• 🌐 The lack of mental health services in Africa leaves 90% of the population without access to treatment, leading to silent suffering.
• 🤔 Misconceptions about the causes of mental illness are prevalent, with many attributing it to supernatural or moral failings rather than medical causes.
• 📸 The stigma against mental illness can result in ostracization and abuse, as documented by photojournalists in various African countries.
• 👫 Personal experiences with mental illness, such as the speaker's friend with schizophrenia, can be a catalyst for advocacy and support.
• 💪 The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing mental health as equally important as physical health and encourages open dialogue.
• 🗣️ The call to action is to end the stigma associated with mental illness, promote vulnerability, and seek help without fear of judgment.

Q & A

What was the speaker's experience with Nigerian 'jollof' rice?

The speaker humorously mentions eating Nigerian 'jollof' rice as a significant event, but it was overshadowed by personal turmoil and an anxiety attack they experienced that year.

How did the speaker initially react to the suggestion of speaking with a mental health professional?

The speaker initially reacted with a sense of shame and stigma, violently shaking their head in protest and refusing to consider the idea of discussing their feelings of pain with anyone.

What cultural perceptions of mental health did the speaker encounter growing up in West Africa?

Growing up in West Africa, the speaker associated the term 'mental' with a madman, someone with a negative connotation, and believed that mental health issues were strange diseases of white people.

What is the World Health Organization's definition of mental health according to the script?

According to the script, the World Health Organization defines mental health as the ability to cope with the normal stressors of life, to work productively and fruitfully, and to be able to make a contribution to your community, including emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

What percentage of mental illness cases are found in low-income countries globally?

Globally, 75 percent of all mental illness cases can be found in low-income countries.

What is the estimated number of psychiatrists in Nigeria, and how does this compare to the population?

Nigeria, a country of almost 200 million people, is estimated to have only 200 psychiatrists, which is a severe shortage compared to the population.

What are some of the common misconceptions about the causes of mental illness among the respondents in the study by Arboleda-Flórez?

In the study, 34 percent of Nigerian respondents cited drug misuse, 19 percent said divine wrath and the will of God, and 12 percent mentioned witchcraft and spiritual possession as causes of mental illness, while few recognized other known causes such as genetics or socioeconomic status.

What personal experience did the speaker have that made them passionate about mental health?

The speaker became passionate about mental health after witnessing their best friend's diagnosis with schizophrenia and the subsequent stigma and isolation he faced from their community.

What actions did the speaker take to support mental health awareness and support?

Inspired by their friend's experience, the speaker helped found a mental health special interest alumni group at their college and supported undergraduates with mental health challenges during their tenure as a resident tutor in graduate school.

Why is it important for the speaker to emphasize that mental health struggles do not detract from one's virility or taint one's strength?

The speaker emphasizes this to challenge the stigma and misconceptions associated with mental health in African culture, where mental struggles are often seen as a sign of weakness, rather than a common human experience.

What is the speaker's call to action for addressing mental health issues?

The speaker calls for an end to the stigma associated with mental illness, encourages open conversations about mental health with friends, loved ones, and health professionals, and promotes the idea that being honest about feelings does not make one weak but human.

Outlines

00:00

😔 Struggle with Mental Health and Cultural Stigma

The speaker shares a personal account of grappling with anxiety and the cultural stigma surrounding mental health, particularly within the African community. They recount their initial resistance to seeking help due to the perception of mental health issues as a sign of weakness or a taboo subject. The speaker also discusses the broader context of mental health in Africa, including the lack of resources and the high prevalence of mental illness in low-income countries, and the societal attitudes that contribute to the silence and suffering of many.

05:03

🌐 Breaking the Silence on Mental Health in Africa

Continuing the narrative, the speaker emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health with the same seriousness as physical health. They share their own journey of advocacy, from supporting a friend diagnosed with schizophrenia to founding a mental health group and assisting students in graduate school. The speaker calls for an end to the stigma and encourages open conversations about mental health, stressing the need for vulnerability and the recognition that mental health struggles are a human experience, not a sign of weakness or madness.

Keywords

💡Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. In the video, the speaker describes suffering an anxiety attack due to personal turmoil and enormous stress, which relates to the theme of mental health struggles and the need to address them openly.

💡Mental Health

Mental health refers to a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is a central theme in the video, with the speaker discussing the stigma and lack of understanding surrounding mental health in African culture and the importance of recognizing and treating mental health issues just as one would physical health.

💡Stigma

Stigma is a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person. The video emphasizes the profound stigma associated with mental health issues in African societies, which often prevents individuals from seeking help and contributes to their isolation and suffering.

💡Masculinity

Masculinity refers to qualities or roles typically associated with men. The speaker mentions the 'rigid architecture of African masculinity,' illustrating how societal expectations can contribute to the suppression of emotions and the avoidance of discussing mental health issues.

💡Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder characterized by abnormal thoughts, perceptions, and behaviors. The video recounts the speaker's personal experience with a close friend diagnosed with schizophrenia, highlighting the social rejection and derogatory comments that individuals with mental illnesses often face.

💡Depression

Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how one feels, the way one thinks, and how one acts. The video contrasts the understanding and treatment of physical ailments like pneumonia with the dismissive attitude towards mental illnesses like depression in certain cultures.

💡Mental Illness

Mental illness is a broad term referring to a variety of conditions affecting a person's mood, thinking, and behavior. The speaker discusses the global prevalence of mental illnesses, particularly in low-income countries, and the lack of resources and understanding in Africa.

💡Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health, including diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses. The video points out the severe shortage of psychiatrists in Africa, with Nigeria having an estimated 200 for a population of nearly 200 million, indicating the lack of access to professional mental health care.

💡Stress

Stress is a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances. The speaker's personal narrative involves enormous stress leading to an anxiety attack, which is a direct example of how stress can impact mental health.

💡Vulnerability

Vulnerability is the quality of being open to attack or damage, or the state of being susceptible to harm or injury. In the context of the video, vulnerability is encouraged as a means to openly discuss mental health issues and seek support, rather than suffering in silence.

💡Human

The term 'human' in the video is used to emphasize the shared experiences and emotions that connect all people, regardless of cultural background. The speaker argues that being honest about feelings and seeking help for mental health issues is a human quality that does not signify weakness but rather a universal aspect of the human condition.

Highlights

The speaker faced personal turmoil and an anxiety attack, unable to work or express their feelings due to the stigma associated with mental health in African culture.

The concept of mental health was initially met with resistance and confusion, as it was perceived as a 'strange disease' by the speaker, reflecting a common attitude in West Africa.

The speaker's upbringing in West Africa associated the term 'mental' with madness and drug abuse, perpetuating a negative and fearful perception of mental health issues.

The lack of mental health resources in Africa is highlighted, with Nigeria having only an estimated 200 psychiatrists for nearly 200 million people.

The World Health Organization's definition of mental health emphasizes coping with life's stressors, productivity, and community contribution, which contrasts with common misconceptions.

Mental illness is largely concentrated in low-income countries, yet African governments invest minimally in mental health care, exacerbating the issue.

The speaker's personal experience with a friend's schizophrenia diagnosis and the subsequent stigma and isolation faced by the friend underscores the need for societal change.

The speaker's advocacy for mental health began with supporting their friend and eventually led to founding a mental health interest group and supporting students in graduate school.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing mental health as equally important as physical health and encourages open conversation and seeking help.

The stigma associated with mental illness often leads to ostracization and victim-blaming, as documented by photojournalist Robin Hammond in various African countries.

Common misconceptions about the causes of mental illness in Nigeria include drug misuse, divine wrath, and witchcraft, rather than scientifically proven factors.

The speaker's own struggle with anxiety and the internal conflict of seeking help despite awareness of mental health's importance highlights the depth of the stigma.

The speaker calls for an end to the stigma surrounding mental illness and for a shift in perception to see mental health struggles as a human experience, not a sign of weakness.

The speech concludes with a powerful message to reframe the understanding of 'mental' from madness to a call for empathy and understanding, including the speaker's own story.

Transcripts

Last year ...

was hell.

(Laughter)

It was my first time eating Nigerian "jollof."

(Laughter)

Actually, in all seriousness,

I was going through a lot of personal turmoil.

Faced with enormous stress,

I suffered an anxiety attack.

On some days, I could do no work.

On other days,

I just wanted to lay in my bed and cry.

My doctor asked if I'd like to speak with a mental health professional

about my stress and anxiety.

Mental health?

I clammed up and violently shook my head in protest.

I felt a profound sense of a shame.

I felt the weight of stigma.

I have a loving, supportive family

and incredibly loyal friends,

yet I could not entertain the idea of speaking to anyone

about my feeling of pain.

I felt suffocated by the rigid architecture

of our African masculinity.

"People have real problems, Sangu.

Get over yourself!"

The first time I heard "mental health,"

I was a boarding school student fresh off the boat from Ghana,

at the Peddie School in New Jersey.

I had just gone through the brutal experience

of losing seven loved ones in the same month.

The school nurse,

concerned about what I'd gone through -- God bless her soul --

she inquired about my mental health.

"Is she mental?" I thought.

Does she not know I'm an African man?

(Laughter)

Like Okonkwo in "Things Fall Apart,"

we African men neither process nor express our emotions.

We deal with our problems.

(Applause)

We deal with our problems.

I called my brother and laughed about "Oyibo" people -- white people --

and their strange diseases --

depression, ADD and those "weird things."

Growing up in West Africa,

when people used the term "mental," what came to mind was a madman

with dirty, dread-locked hair,

bumbling around half-naked on the streets.

We all know this man.

Our parents warned us about him.

"Mommy, mommy, why is he mad?"

"Drugs!

If you even look at drugs, you end up like him."

(Laughter)

Come down with pneumonia,

and your mother will rush you to the nearest hospital

for medical treatment.

But dare to declare depression,

and your local pastor will be driving out demons

and blaming witches in your village.

According to the World Health Organization,

mental health is about being able to cope

with the normal stressors of life;

to work productively and fruitfully;

and to be able to make a contribution to your community.

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being.

Globally, 75 percent of all mental illness cases

can be found in low-income countries.

Yet most African governments

invest less than one percent of their health care budget

in mental health.

Even worse,

we have a severe shortage of psychiatrists in Africa.

Nigeria, for example, is estimated to have 200 --

in a country of almost 200 million.

In all of Africa,

90 percent of our people lack access to treatment.

As a result,

we suffer in solitude,

silenced by stigma.

We as Africans often respond to mental health with distance,

ignorance,

guilt,

fear

and anger.

In a study conducted by Arboleda-Flórez,

directly asking, "What is the cause of mental illness?"

34 percent of Nigerian respondents cited drug misuse;

19 percent said divine wrath and the will of God --

(Laughter)

12 percent,

witchcraft and spiritual possession.

But few cited other known causes of mental illness,

like genetics,

socioeconomic status,

war,

conflict

or the loss of a loved one.

The stigmatization against mental illness

often results in the ostracizing and demonizing of sufferers.

Photojournalist Robin Hammond has documented some of these abuses ...

in Uganda,

in Somalia,

and here in Nigeria.

For me,

the stigma is personal.

In 2009,

I received a frantic call in the middle of the night.

My best friend in the world --

a brilliant, philosophical, charming, hip young man --

was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

I witnessed some of the friends we'd grown up with recoil.

I heard the snickers.

I heard the whispers.

"Did you hear he has gone mad?"

(Kru English) "He has gone crazy!"

Derogatory, demeaning commentary about his condition --

words we would never say about someone with cancer

or someone with malaria.

Somehow, when it comes to mental illness,

our ignorance eviscerates all empathy.

I stood by his side as his community isolated him,

but our love never wavered.

Tacitly, I became passionate about mental health.

Inspired by his plight,

I helped found the mental health special interest alumni group

at my college.

And during my tenure as a resident tutor in graduate school,

I supported many undergraduates with their mental health challenges.

I saw African students struggle

and unable to speak to anyone.

Even with this knowledge and with their stories in tow,

I, in turn, struggled,

and could not speak to anyone when I faced my own anxiety,

so deep is our fear of being the madman.

All of us --

but we Africans especially --

need to realize that our mental struggles do not detract from our virility,

nor does our trauma taint our strength.

We need to see mental health as important as physical health.

We need to stop suffering in silence.

We must stop stigmatizing disease

and traumatizing the afflicted.

Talk to your friends.

Talk to your loved ones.

Talk to health professionals.

Be vulnerable.

Do so with the confidence

that you are not alone.

Speak up if you're struggling.

Being honest about how we feel

does not make us weak;

it makes us human.

It is time to end the stigma associated with mental illness.

So the next time your hear "mental,"

do not just think of the madman.

Think of me.

(Applause)

Thank you.

(Applause)