World Mental Health Day

Every year, on October 10th, the world collectively observes World Mental Health Day. This global event serves as an opportunity for communities around the world to reflect on the importance of mental health, while also raising awareness about the stigma arising from misunderstandings, ignorance, and neglect of its care. Many communities still view mental health as a matter of lesser importance, considering it a personal issue that does not extend beyond those affected.

Avoiding discussions about mental health can further alienate those struggling with mental illnesses, pushing them into isolation and silence that prevents them from seeking medical care and psychological support. Mental health is a societal issue that directly impacts overall well-being, community productivity, peace, stability, and coexistence in every society.

Any community that is not committed to ensuring its members receive appropriate mental health care may experience a decline in various aspects of development, as it undermines the cognitive and decision-making abilities of its members.

Mental Health and Human Life

Mental health is one of the pillars upon which the quality of human life, social progress, and overall stability of coexistence is based. Mental health often does not manifest as visibly as the physical well-being that a person can feel.

It is a fact that when it comes to physical well-being, a person can easily complain of pain or injury to body parts, such as the hand, leg, or other parts of the body. Such physical ailments are those that can be visibly seen or felt; even a person with no additional knowledge of healthcare can easily assist the sick person in getting to a healthcare facility or hospital, to receive care and treatment.

Most mental health issues do not have their traces directly observable on the surface of the body. However, their impact can profoundly affect a person's thinking, emotions, creativity, and behavior. Every member of society manages their daily life through their understanding, thinking patterns, and ability to cope with the various circumstances they face. Therefore, mental health plays a central role in the integrity of personality and the human life process.

Definition by the WHO and the Essence of Mental Well-being

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as a state related to a person's mind and emotions, which reflects how they think, how they feel, how they interact with others, and how they engage with daily life. WHO defines mental health as: “A state in which an individual realizes their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to their community.”

This definition clarifies that mental health is not merely the absence of a disease or a specific illness, but rather a state of complete health and well-being, both mentally and emotionally, that enables a person to cope healthily with the challenges they face. A person with good mental health is able to use their reasoning, adapt to various life situations, and become a contributing member to the overall progress of their community.

Psycho-social Injuries (Trauma) and How They Have Affected the Somali Community

Communities affected by armed conflicts, poverty, prolonged displacement, drought, and political turmoil are particularly vulnerable to mental health issues and psychological injuries resulting from the harsh times they have endured. The Somali society, which is recovering from the devastating impacts of civil wars, is simultaneously grappling with persistent challenges including tribal grievances, climate change-related droughts, and the fight against terrorism.

These prolonged issues have caused a significant portion of the community to live with psychological injuries (trauma) that are extremely difficult to recover from.

One of the major problems arising from these conditions is the illness known as PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), or the anxiety resulting from past traumatic events. Many people live every day with the memories or effects of painful events they have experienced, such as the sounds of explosions, previous battles, the loss of family members, physical injuries, and the ongoing droughts that force people to flee.

Those living with these issues do not receive adequate healthcare, and there is insufficient awareness within the community about the importance of seeking mental health care and ongoing psychological support.

Lack of Community Understanding and Stigmatization of People with Mental Health Issues

Until today, most of our Somali community does not understand or have a true awareness of mental health care. When seeing someone facing a mental illness or psychological distress, the community often attributes this issue to superstition, something related to demons or jinn, or personal weakness. Instead of recognizing that person as a patient or someone facing a health condition needing care, treatment, and psychological support, they are often met with stigma and misunderstanding that exacerbates their suffering.

Most of our people are struggling with issues related to mental well-being. Young people are living with anxiety and stress stemming from unemployment; there is no one giving special consideration to their mental well-being, and they are at risk of encountering other serious health issues that could jeopardize their lives!

The Impact of Mental Health on Community Building and Cohesion

When the mental health of a community faces an unaddressed challenge, the behavior and well-being of the community deteriorate. There is also an impact on the social system, its legality, governance, and overall understanding. Communities are often improved or enhanced by individuals whose mental health is stable. If the mental health of the community is good, the violence that causes crime decreases, and, likewise, the productivity and cooperation of the community increase.

If the community has good mental health, there is a noticeable decrease in violence, crime, and conflicts, while overall productivity and social well-being significantly increase. There are many factors that directly affect the mental health of the community, which can be divided into several major areas:

Psychological Issues: These include constant anxiety, worry, stress, grief, trauma, psychological injuries resulting from family breakdowns, inter-tribal conflicts or wars, and violations such as rape or physical assault.

Social Issues: These include extreme poverty and lack of basic needs, widespread unemployment, illiteracy, and community displacement, as people leave their areas in search of livelihood opportunities.

Biological Issues: These include malnutrition, widespread insomnia, and chronic physical illnesses, such as diabetes or hypertension, which directly pressure thinking and brain function.

Family Heritage or Inheritance: This also includes mental illnesses inherited from family, where an individual may inherit genetic predispositions to mental disorders from their parents or grandparents.

Specific Mental Health Disorders

Finally, there are specific disorders related to mental health that individuals may encounter when facing these physical and social challenges. These disorders include:

Depression (Murugada): It is a condition in which a person experiences sadness and despair, accompanied by a decrease in life interest, hopelessness, and a decline in their thinking and daily activities.

Phobias (Cabsida Xaddhaafka ah): A person who has or develops an excessive fear related to specific events, objects, or situations; a fear that others do not have or that lacks a reasonable cause for fear.

Schizophrenia: It is a very serious mental illness that can detach a person from reality; it can cause them to hear voices that are not there, see hallucinations, or exhibit severe irrational fears.

Gunaanad

The protection of mental health requires ongoing care, community awareness, and access to places that provide mental health services, including psychological counseling and evidence-based psychological treatment. This task is particularly the responsibility of mental health professionals, those studying psychology, and anyone with knowledge and experience in mental health care.

Mental health is a strong pillar upon which individual safety, family well-being, and community development are built. Surrounding ignorance and neglect can exacerbate mental distress, family problems, and social isolation. Therefore, maintaining mental health is an essential part of building a cohesive, supportive community based on understanding, compassion, and good coexistence.