Mental health professionals and reports from mental medical institutions are affirming that mental health problems are growing around the world coupled with widespread stigma towards people with mental health problems.
According to Samuel Tollosa, professional psychiatrist at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, people with mental health problems are denied psycho-social support as well as exposed to judgment and criticism. Mental health problems are curable if treated early. The Hospital is working with local and international partners to create access to the services. Consorted efforts are underway to ensure mental health service access to everyone. The Hospital receives over one hundred new people with mental health problems per a week.
Seconding Samuel`s view, Ethiopian Mental Health Services Users Association President, Eleni Misganaw said that mental health services in Ethiopia have historically been limited in many ways, but there has been progress made in recent years to improve access to care and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopia Herald, Eleni said that the government is making an effort to provide services for people with mental illness in a more organized fashion than ever before. “We are witnessing funding for mental health services in recent years and mental health services are being expanded across the country, with a focus on integrating mental health care into primary health care services.”
According to Eleni, mental illness affects individuals living all over the world, with many lacking the necessary access to care. Seeing the challenges faced by individuals with mental illness the Association had conducted a campaign to raise mental illness awareness among the society, manage mental health related problems and observed service provisions at health facilities throughout the month of May. Besides supporting individuals with mental illness the campaign had a goal to create an informed community towards mental health problems and victims of the problem.
“The Association will keep on working to inform the community through various approaches. The association holds it could help improve mental health services in health facilities. At the same time, the Association encourages families to bring victims of mental health problem to health facility at early stage. The Association holds that with early and consistent treatment, people with serious mental illnesses can manage their conditions, overcome challenges, and lead meaningful, productive lives. I was a victim of mental health problems but through psycho-social support from health facilities and my family members, I am leading a productive life. I took the courage to expose myself, got medical and social support, she opined.”
The Association was established in 2013. Now we do have more than fifty members, and we believe we represent those who are not willing to expose themselves fearing stigma.
The Association is trying to empower the mental health communities to get services accordingly. We provide information.
Despite common misperceptions, having a serious mental illness (SMI) is not a choice, a weakness, or a character flaw. It is not something that just “passes” or can be “snapped out of” with willpower. The specific causes are unknown, but various factors can increase someone’s risk for mental illness including, family history, brain chemistry, and significant life events such as experiencing trauma or the death of a loved one.
There has been a significant effort to train mental health professionals in Ethiopia, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. Because there are now a number of private and public health facilities that provide services to mental health related problems. Some years ago, the only mental health facility was Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital. But now, thanks to the concerted efforts of the government and others, every General Hospital is providing the services through integrated approaches to citizens with mental health problems.
Nowadays the service is accessible in Zewditu, Saint Paul`s Hospital Millennium Medical College, St. Peter`s Specialized Hospital, Eka Kotebe General Hospital. The Association is working on strengthening public awareness campaigns to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and to promote mental health awareness.
She further noted that despite these positive developments, challenges remain in providing mental health services in Ethiopia. There is still a shortage of mental health professionals and access to mental health care is limited in some areas. There is also a need for greater investment in mental health research to better understand the mental health needs of the population and to inform policies and programs.
The Association is engaged in advocacy activities and takes time in developing and reviewing a five-year national strategic plan for 2020-2025 with the overall aim of consolidating the gains made in the fight against National mental, neurological and substance use as well as further reducing the burden of the disease.
“We have been participating in developing peer-to-peer support in mental health services to be inculcated in the draft content of the national health act. We strived to shift towards community-based mental health care, with a focus on providing care in the community rather than in hospitals or institutions.”
Using different media outlets and other platforms we let people to know the experiences of Association members on how they dealt with mental health, lead productive life.
We are also working with partners like the Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa University, as well as Global Mental Health Peer NetWork and African Mental Health Research Initiative (AMARI).
Responding to what motivated her to lead the Mental Health Services Users Association, Eleni said, it is the firm conviction that provision of services to mental health problems should be handled and managed by individuals and experts who once had been through the pain of mental illness and the entire stigma they experienced. She also said that provision of noble service to mental health problem victims is needed in a sustainable manner.
BY MENGISTEAB BTESHOME
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 10 AUGUST 2023
