The Resilience Of Mental Health Stigma In The African Community

Mental health stigma has been a prevalent issue internally and within society. Mental health stigma is caused by pessimistic beliefs and attitudes that persuades others to discriminate or avoid individuals with mental illness or psychiatric care resources (Parcesepe & Cabassa, 2013). This stigma prevents individuals from coming to the conclusion that they have a mental illness and taking part in receiving psychiatric care (Parcesepe & Cabassa, 2013). According to Amuyunzu-Nyamongo (2013), about fourteen percent of global diseases are mental illness. In fact, in low income countries seventy-five percent of accounted illnesses are categorized under mental illnesses and severe psychosis, Africa specifically (Amuyunzu-Nyamongo, 2013; Bird, Omar,

This resilience stands as the outcome of trust barriers between the people of Africa and the mental health professional. Africans tend to confide their general health and mental issues in traditional healers. Traditional healers incorporate rituals and rites in their treatment process (Levers & Shefer, 2009). The process of traditional healing incorporates African culture, earthly products (vegetation and minerals), religion, and wild life (Levers & Shefer, 2009). The main issue when consulting with a traditional healer is that the general thought of a mental illness occurring is based on culture and religion only. Some may believe that their mental illness is occurring due to the wrath of their God, witchcraft, possessive spirits, or misuse of drugs (Amuyunzu-Nyamongo, 2013). Other cases of not recognizing their illness derives from hiding their illness in the shadow of socio norms to prevent being discriminated upon. The fact that the African community remains comfortable in their route of treatment as well as confiding in traditional healers makes it nearly impossible for certified psychiatric care professionals to provide adequate mental health

Within lower income countries there are necessities that are not provided as they are in higher income countries. Most of these necessities include drinkable water, access to adequate medical attention, proper nutrition within vegetation, treatment for blood borne diseases, and much more. All of these basic needs are categorized in a priority hierarchy in the African community. As these are essential priorities of life, mental health stands at the bottom of their hierarchy. The fact that mental health is low in priority due to the following factors: “inappreciativeness of mental illness prevalence, misunderstanding, poor media coverage, not knowledgeable of interventions, preference of self-care/ traditional healing, lack of funding, competing health priorities, lack of advocacy, and socio-cultural beliefs” (Bird et al., 2011). Add page number In order to reduce mental health stigma, increasing mental health as a priority is key. It has been suggested by Bird et al. (2013) by improving mental health policies and pushing awareness campaigns in the media, mental illness will be accepted more. Along with general awareness Bird et al. mentioned combining mental health resources with primary care resources to increase mental health priority. That notion correlates with the main gap of lack of education within the African community on mental