11 Nov 2019

Society has not always looked kindly at people with mental health conditions which forces them to live with stigma, rejection and at times outright disdain, Batlokwa paramount chief and chairperson of Ntlo-ya-Dikgosi, Kgosi Puso Gaborone has said.

Giving a keynote address at the commemoration of the United Nations (UN) Day in Gaborone on November 8, Kgosi Puso said some people think of mental health as a narrow concept of a disease, or even a curse, with lifelong and life-changing implications. 

He said mental health was, in fact, a broad and intricate area that permeated all spheres of our lives.

“Mental health is more than just the absence of mental disorders or disabilities, and that is why there is no health without mental health,” he said.

As part of the commemoration, the UN chose to focus on mental health looking at the fact that mental health was broad and not always well understood. 

The day was held under the theme; Conversations on Mental Health.

Kgosi Puso, therefore, said it was important to have a conversation around mental health as the perceptions, stigma, attitudes and treatment of mental issues of whatever nature by the society were often influenced by limited knowledge or lack thereof.

He acknowledged that culture often regarded mental health rather harshly and that it was important to have conversations around this complicated and sensitive issue.

He said many people developed ill health because of unattended stress and other determinants. 

He pointed to intricacies of modern life which have brought with them challenges that stretched people’s minds and emotions to a point where some may fail to cope or may need support to cope.

“The signs include errant behaviour, substance abuse, aggression, anger, anxiety, withdrawal, mood swings, and changes of stress or attempts at coping with stress,” he said.

He highlighted that children were not exempted from stress and other mental conditions citing that children who experienced better mental health and wellbeing may be more likely to do well at school, increasing the career prospects later in life.

“While in contrast, children who experience severe behavioural problems generate high demands on the education and social care systems, as well as on health services with adverse consequences that can persist into adulthood,” he said.

To promote good mental health, Kgosi Gaborone noted that government had integrated mental health into existing health and development priorities, including early childhood development, maternal health and, more broadly, the progressive realisation of Universal Health Coverage enhanced wellbeing.

He said it was indisputable that a community that ensured the mental health of its people may reap the benefits of peace, stability and prosperity.

“As bogosi, we will endeavour to instil the values of Botho and Tshwaragano and that stigma and discrimination against mental health are not welcome in our communities,” he said. 

In his closing remarks Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation Mr Gaeimelwe Goitsemang reiterated Kgosi Puso’s words that society should appreciate that besides generic disorders, mental health could also be a function of circumstances.

“We should, therefore, be motivated to change our perceptions towards it,” he said.

He said there was a convergence of cultural and conventional approaches to mental health and people should not shy away from talking about the topic.

“Let us talk about mental health in our kgotla, homes, workplaces, schools, churches and everywhere in our social gatherings.

He continued to urge people to break common societal stereotypes around mental health and most importantly, the negative stigma attached towards Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital as a mental health facility. Ends