Mental illness- Stigma worsens the problem
Mar 29, 2009
BEFORE developing a mental illness, Sulaiman Kiyemba lived a happy life with a wife and children. He used to harvest lots of money from brick-laying and was one of the prosperous men in Mayombwe, Sebawali-Kibibi in Mpigi district.
By Florence Nakaayi
BEFORE developing a mental illness, Sulaiman Kiyemba lived a happy life with a wife and children. He used to harvest lots of money from brick-laying and was one of the prosperous men in Mayombwe, Sebawali-Kibibi in Mpigi district.
Kiyemba was optimistic he would become a billionaire and an exemplary family man. But his dream took a U-turn in his youthful 30s.
The first sign of his mental problem was when he dished out all his savings in 1986.
When the problem intensified, his wife divorced him. Kiyemba has since failed to get another wife.
More hurting is the fact that people call him mad.
“Even in community gatherings, they do not take me seriously,†he says. Kiyemba was narrating his ordeal to a guest from the World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (WNUSP). WNUSP was hosted by Mental Health Uganda where Kiyemba is a member.
Kiyemba asks: “How would you feel if a person called you mad?†His arms could be seen shaking — a side-effect of antisychotics (drugs used to treat mental illness).
Despite the stigma, Kiyemba currently employs 18 youth at his brick-laying pitch, a business he started after stabilising in 1995.
From the proceeds, he pays school fees for six children and buys drugs worth sh120,000 every month.
In an interview with survivors of mental illness, it was evident that the stigma was still high.
Some did not want to disclose their identity for fear of society discriminating against them and their children.
As a result, majority of people with mental illnesses (PWMIs) ignore medical treatment while others get treatment secretly, according to Julius Kayiira, the director of Mental Health Uganda.
Kayira said communities understand mental illness as a cultural or spiritual problem or curse to individuals and families.
“Awareness about mental illnesses is still lacking.
There has to be a gradual process to change this negative attitude,†says Dr. Daniel Iga.
In Uganda, 30% of hospital attendees have mental problems, according to the Mental Health Policy (2000-2005).
Nelson Omoding, the secretary of Soroti United Mental Health Association, says it took their association six months to open up an account with one of the local banks in Soroti.
Omoding says the managers of the bank doubted their (PWMIs) ability to run the account.
“Their worry was sparked off by just the word ‘mental’,†he says.
“Society does not understand that after receiving proper treatment, one can live a normal life,†Omoding adds.
He says in some areas people with mental illnesses are not allowed to drink malwa (local beer) using the same straw.
Dr. Fred Kigozi, the executive director of Butabika Mental Hospital, says over 30% of the patients discharged from the hospital report back within three months following relapses triggered by poor reception in their communities.
He calls upon the Government to strengthen the mental health services countrywide so that those who face the problem can access treatment.
The common mental health diseases reported at Butabika include schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorders, depression and substance abuse.
Hospital reports indicate that the number of mental health cases treated at the hospital rose from 4,274 in 2005/2006 to 5,604 in 2007.
CURBING STIGMA
Forms of social stigma
Denial of responsibility in community settings
Denial of employment
Name-calling like ‘zonto’, ‘mulalu’, ‘ma-wire’
Isolation from the rest of the family during meal time
Strategies to reduce stigma
Ensuring that PWMIs get involved in productive work and income-generating activities.
Involvement of many stakeholders in the mental health promotion campaigns at community level.
Community sensitisation on mental health to enable community members receive information.
Mental health actors should encourage community-based organisations to integrate mental health in their work.
Emulate the HIV/AIDS strategy on reducing stigma through methods like peer-to-peer counselling
Empower and facilitate the district rehabilitation and probation officers to carry out their duties as required.
Sensitise communities about their responsibility in promoting mental health
More community-based services, for example outreach clinics that bring services closer to the people.
Need to improve the capacity of health workers to handle the problem
Source: Study by MHU
BEFORE developing a mental illness, Sulaiman Kiyemba lived a happy life with a wife and children. He used to harvest lots of money from brick-laying and was one of the prosperous men in Mayombwe, Sebawali-Kibibi in Mpigi district.
Kiyemba was optimistic he would become a billionaire and an exemplary family man. But his dream took a U-turn in his youthful 30s.
The first sign of his mental problem was when he dished out all his savings in 1986.
When the problem intensified, his wife divorced him. Kiyemba has since failed to get another wife.
More hurting is the fact that people call him mad.
“Even in community gatherings, they do not take me seriously,†he says. Kiyemba was narrating his ordeal to a guest from the World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (WNUSP). WNUSP was hosted by Mental Health Uganda where Kiyemba is a member.
Kiyemba asks: “How would you feel if a person called you mad?†His arms could be seen shaking — a side-effect of antisychotics (drugs used to treat mental illness).
Despite the stigma, Kiyemba currently employs 18 youth at his brick-laying pitch, a business he started after stabilising in 1995.
From the proceeds, he pays school fees for six children and buys drugs worth sh120,000 every month.
In an interview with survivors of mental illness, it was evident that the stigma was still high.
Some did not want to disclose their identity for fear of society discriminating against them and their children.
As a result, majority of people with mental illnesses (PWMIs) ignore medical treatment while others get treatment secretly, according to Julius Kayiira, the director of Mental Health Uganda.
Kayira said communities understand mental illness as a cultural or spiritual problem or curse to individuals and families.
“Awareness about mental illnesses is still lacking.
There has to be a gradual process to change this negative attitude,†says Dr. Daniel Iga.
In Uganda, 30% of hospital attendees have mental problems, according to the Mental Health Policy (2000-2005).
Nelson Omoding, the secretary of Soroti United Mental Health Association, says it took their association six months to open up an account with one of the local banks in Soroti.
Omoding says the managers of the bank doubted their (PWMIs) ability to run the account.
“Their worry was sparked off by just the word ‘mental’,†he says.
“Society does not understand that after receiving proper treatment, one can live a normal life,†Omoding adds.
He says in some areas people with mental illnesses are not allowed to drink malwa (local beer) using the same straw.
Dr. Fred Kigozi, the executive director of Butabika Mental Hospital, says over 30% of the patients discharged from the hospital report back within three months following relapses triggered by poor reception in their communities.
He calls upon the Government to strengthen the mental health services countrywide so that those who face the problem can access treatment.
The common mental health diseases reported at Butabika include schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorders, depression and substance abuse.
Hospital reports indicate that the number of mental health cases treated at the hospital rose from 4,274 in 2005/2006 to 5,604 in 2007.
CURBING STIGMA
Forms of social stigma
Denial of responsibility in community settings
Denial of employment
Name-calling like ‘zonto’, ‘mulalu’, ‘ma-wire’
Isolation from the rest of the family during meal time
Strategies to reduce stigma
Ensuring that PWMIs get involved in productive work and income-generating activities.
Involvement of many stakeholders in the mental health promotion campaigns at community level.
Community sensitisation on mental health to enable community members receive information.
Mental health actors should encourage community-based organisations to integrate mental health in their work.
Emulate the HIV/AIDS strategy on reducing stigma through methods like peer-to-peer counselling
Empower and facilitate the district rehabilitation and probation officers to carry out their duties as required.
Sensitise communities about their responsibility in promoting mental health
More community-based services, for example outreach clinics that bring services closer to the people.
Need to improve the capacity of health workers to handle the problem
Source: Study by MHU