The following information is in regard to mental health in families in Ethiopia:
"
Mental health problem is defined as the failure of the mental function in terms of thought, mood, and behavior that results in impairing one’s productive capacity, fulfilling relationship with others, and the ability to adapt to change with adversity.
In low income countries like Ethiopia, where malnutrition and infectious diseases are common, the prevalence of mental disorders is shockingly high. This however, has been shrouded by so many taboos due to the lack of awareness about the illness, patients and their families. Hence, no meaningful activities had been carried out to either support the victims or increase the awareness of community members about the problem and its nature. As the result, the victims of mental disorders could not be provided with proper care and support. Therefore, the victims and their families ended up with stigmatization, abandonment and other forms of marginalization. As estimated by the World Bank, mental health problems contribute 8.1% the global burden of disease. Consistent with this finding, a recent study in Ethiopia showed that mental illness contributes to over 12% of the burden of disease². This is believed to be the smallest portion of the problem, because mental illnesses resulting from psychiatric and behavioral disorders that are known to be enormous are not included in the study. A similar study carried out by Shibire and Alem in 2003 (Alem et al and Shibire et al, 2003) indicated that the health problem associated with mental disorder in Ethiopia is as high as 20%.
Mental disorder is a very serious health problem that has multi dimensional effect on the victims, their families, the community and the nation at large. The problem is far reaching and attacks both male and female, adults and children, young and old with no discrimination of any kind.
Despite the fast growth of the problem in the country, many Ethiopians perceive mental disorder as an affliction caused by supernatural forces such as evil sprits. Due to this perception the majority of the people having mental disorders are not getting professional consultations and clinical help. Instead they are abandoned and left by themselves and most of them end up on the street or in prison, while a few are taken to traditional healing places where they get no scientific treatment or the required care and support. In addition people with mental disorder in Ethiopia suffer all the social, economic and other problems. In the developed countries where community members including families are well aware of mental illness, all types of services for such problems are available. However in Ethiopia the problems go unnoticed even by professionals, except for extreme cases.
In low income countries like Ethiopia, where malnutrition and infectious diseases are common, the prevalence of mental disorders is shockingly high. This however, has been shrouded by so many taboos due to the lack of awareness about the illness, patients and their families. Hence, no meaningful activities had been carried out to either support the victims or increase the awareness of community members about the problem and its nature. As the result, the victims of mental disorders could not be provided with proper care and support. Therefore, the victims and their families ended up with stigmatization, abandonment and other forms of marginalization. As estimated by the World Bank, mental health problems contribute 8.1% the global burden of disease. Consistent with this finding, a recent study in Ethiopia showed that mental illness contributes to over 12% of the burden of disease². This is believed to be the smallest portion of the problem, because mental illnesses resulting from psychiatric and behavioral disorders that are known to be enormous are not included in the study. A similar study carried out by Shibire and Alem in 2003 (Alem et al and Shibire et al, 2003) indicated that the health problem associated with mental disorder in Ethiopia is as high as 20%.
Mental disorder is a very serious health problem that has multi dimensional effect on the victims, their families, the community and the nation at large. The problem is far reaching and attacks both male and female, adults and children, young and old with no discrimination of any kind.
Despite the fast growth of the problem in the country, many Ethiopians perceive mental disorder as an affliction caused by supernatural forces such as evil sprits. Due to this perception the majority of the people having mental disorders are not getting professional consultations and clinical help. Instead they are abandoned and left by themselves and most of them end up on the street or in prison, while a few are taken to traditional healing places where they get no scientific treatment or the required care and support. In addition people with mental disorder in Ethiopia suffer all the social, economic and other problems. In the developed countries where community members including families are well aware of mental illness, all types of services for such problems are available. However in Ethiopia the problems go unnoticed even by professionals, except for extreme cases.
It is, therefore, important that information on the seriousness of the situation, nature, management, identification and the like should reach community members in the way of awareness creation. Further more every effort has to be made to attract the attention of the policy makers so that the case of people with mental disorders would be included in the national heath plan."
The information above really helped me to understand that mental health in families affects a variety of systems. Mental health does not just affect families. The people within those families affect friends, they affect the way that they interact in school and also in the community. As this is such a crisis for many different groups of people, it is our job to support those and supply those affected by it with information and services to not only assist in treatment but also in prevention. Knowing how to handle stress and knowing how to get counseling to get through traumatic situations are simple ways to affect positive change on families that are dealing with mental health issues.
I wanted to include some information for educators and parents in regard to this topic to support families who are having mental health issues so please take a loook at the following link and really take the time to implement these in the classroom or center with the children and families you work with or send this information home to your parents and let them know that you are there to support them. Thank you!
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/mentalhealth/mhtips.aspx
I agree that mental is a very important topic to know about when working in the early education field. I also believe that most people have issues with it in their families. I also found what you wrote about Ethiopia very interesting! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHailey