World Mental Health Day

Today we commemorate World Mental Health day.

You don’t have to look far to see the effects of depression and anxiety and how it can affect everyday life. If not for you personally, then probably with a family member or a friend. Many of us have lost someone to suicide. People who just didn’t know how to carry on living. Tired of life. I’ve felt like that many times. Especially in the last two years. If it wasn’t for great friends in my life and therapists that I’ve done sessions with, I would probably not be here either.

We often hear the saying “it’s ok to not be ok” but do we really believe that? I hope that you do. And I hope that you have compassion for yourself if that is what you are currently going through. Please, if you are in that space, talk to someone. Reach out to someone.
If you feel that there is no one that you know that you could speak to, then contact Lifeline/Childline Namibia. You can call them at +264 61 226 889.

And if you want to speak to a therapist, but you don’t have medical aid, you can go to the mental health care centre at Windhoek Central Hospital. It is located between the Maternity ward and the Medical school.

Seeking help does not make you weak. It’s one of the bravest things that you can do for yourself. And I pray that you do.

Elize from Future Media spoke to Tessa Becker, chief occupational therapist at Windhoek Central Hospital.

The theme this year is “Time to prioritize mental health in the work place”

Various factors contribute to mental health issues in the work place: Poor working environments – including discrimination and inequality, excessive workloads, low job control and job insecurity. According to the World Health Organization, fifteen percent of working-age adults were estimated to have a mental disorder in 2019.
That was BEFORE Covid. In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by a massive 25%.

https://lifelinechildline.org.na