Mental health, for many an African, is an issue best left untouched. Not that our denizens are overly healthy upstate, but more because we kind of stigmatize it to the point that, here in Uganda, many a mentally unstable person will be attributed to witchcraft, a work of malevolent forces, or some bizarre ancestral power taking root in that particular person. In the West, however, mental health is a serious matter, one that is taken into consideration for most any decision, from workplace accommodations to legal judgments and even pop culture portrayals.
African Perspective and its Influence on Mental Health: Superstition, Stigma, and Silence
In many African cultures, mental illness is often seen as something mystical—an affliction of the supernatural rather than a medical condition. A person showing signs of severe anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia might be taken to a traditional healer rather than a psychiatrist. We have this ingrained belief that mental instability is caused by curses, angry ancestors, or possession by spirits, and the result? Many who suffer from mental illnesses are either hidden away by their families, abandoned to the streets, or subjected to exorcisms rather than therapy.
And this stigma is quite deep. In Uganda, for instance, it is not uncommon to hear someone call a mentally ill person musilu (a derogatory term meaning “mad person”) without any second thought, it is simply how many see these individuals. At some point, the unexplainable behaviors is attributed to attention seeking and a nascent need by the victim to garner sympathy. In Nigeria, those suffering from severe mental illnesses often end up in spiritual camps where they undergo harsh treatments, sometimes including fasting, chaining, or being beaten to “drive out the demons.” Seeking professional help is seen as unnecessary or even shameful, to many, rather unperceivable how one gets the way they are–they don’t believe in mental illnesses..
Moreover, African countries generally lack the infrastructure to support mental health. Governments allocate very little funding to mental health services, with some countries spending less than 1% of their health budget on it. The result? Few professionals, fewer facilities, and almost no access to affordable care.
The Western View on Mental Health
Meanwhile, in Western societies, mental health awareness is at an all-time high, available to everyone at any time. Therapy is not just encouraged but sometimes even trendy—many people openly discuss seeing a therapist as casually as one would mention going to the gym, influencers going on about how therapeutic the experience is and advising everyone to jump on it. Terms like “self-care,” “anxiety disorder,” and “depression management” are part of daily conversations, and mental wellness is treated with the same seriousness as physical health.
One of the biggest differences is that mental health services are integrated into daily life. Schools have counselors, workplaces have mental health days, and governments fund extensive programs to ensure access to therapy and medication. In countries like Canada and Sweden, mental health care is often covered under national health insurance, making it accessible to nearly everyone.
That said, even in the West, mental health stigma isn’t exactly absent. It’s there, just in different forms. Men, for example, are often expected to “man up” rather than admit they are struggling. Despite progress, many still fear being seen as weak if they open up about their mental health struggles. – Why is it that men still find it hard to ask for help?
So, what explains these differences? Well, several factors influence how the different locales view mental health.
- Historical and Religious Influences – Many African societies have deeply entrenched traditional beliefs that see mental illness as a spiritual problem. Our culture literally references ancestors and such superstitions influencing the waking world via mediums, family ancestors manifesting via family members and the likes. Western societies, on the other hand, have had centuries of scientific and medical advancements that moved their perception from superstition to psychology and neuroscience.
- Economic Differences – Wealthier nations can afford to invest in mental health care. Developing nations, already struggling with issues like malaria, hunger, and poor infrastructure, often prioritize physical health over mental wellness.
- Social Expectations – In Africa, there’s a heavy emphasis on resilience and communal strength. Admitting to depression or anxiety can be seen as a personal failing rather than a legitimate condition. In the West, individual well-being is often prioritized, making it easier to acknowledge and seek help for mental struggles.
Despite these challenges, change is happening, albeit slowly. Several African countries are slowly acknowledging mental health awareness, pushed by the “gen Z” era where everyone demands their personal well-being be observed.
Kenya recently decriminalized attempted suicide, recognizing that those who attempt to take their own lives need help, not punishment – Kenya court rules that criminalising attempted suicide is unconstitutional.
Ghana has made strides in mental health reforms, ensuring better access to services. In Uganda, we have the Butabika mental hospital doing its thing.
Community-based mental health initiatives, like training barbers and hairdressers in mental health first aid, are gaining traction in West Africa, allowing people to seek help in non-traditional settings – In West Africa, hairdressers are on the front line, helping clients with mental health problems.
On a global scale, conversations about mental health are becoming more inclusive, with social media playing the role of breaking down barriers–influencers and public figures openly discussing their struggles, making it easier for everyday people to acknowledge their own issues.
In the end, mental health is not just a Western problem as it was previously considered, nor is it something Africa can afford to ignore, because quite frankly, many youth are evidently struggling. The cultural attitudes shape how our societies deal with mental illness, that’s a sure thing, but they are not unchangeable. Education, better funding, and a revision in societal perceptions can easily manage and empower many to come forward.
And while many of us hide our anxieties and insecurities, depressions and hallucinations, we know that our mental fortitude weakens at some point. don’t let it break, seek help.
You might also find Depression in Africa: a Silent Cry for Help helpful.
