The Sunday Mail
Catherine Murombedzi
Some communities have, for years, been living unaware that someone is hidden, locked away — at times in shackles — and treated worse than an animal because they have mental illness.
Misunderstood and stigmatised, a day in the life of a mental patient plays like a fictitious horrific chapter.
Why?
Lack of awareness breeds disdain, which often leads to inability to seek treatment.
That feeling of contempt, even fear, regarding someone perceived unworthy, inferior to deserve attention, is rife in most families and communities of mental patients.
“Do not mind her/him, he is a mental patient,” is the common refrain in communities.
Witchcraft is even blamed without seeking specialist help.
We should not be ashamed to talk about mental illness.
Talking helps, so no one should remain silent to suffer and die from mental illness.
Awareness and listening might actually save the life of someone on the brink of suicide. We must always pay attention to any changes that manifest in people.
We must also never ignore a cry from anyone in need of support. Not all people with challenges speak out: some withdraw and remain silent.
The “screaming silence” is usually noticed when tragedy strikes. Mental illness is real and encompasses depression, suicidal tendencies and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Globally, October 13 to October 19 is OCD Awareness Week, and often on this day, information on detecting OCD, handling and helping patients is disseminated.
Awareness ought not be a one-week event, rather it ought to be a way of life.
OCD is often misunderstood, with the religious blaming it on demons. It is a disorder which most people have never heard of.
However, a closer look at OCD reveals traits that most people have noticed in loved ones or currently face, often referring the needy for prayers believing it is demonic.
Prayer alone is not sufficient to normalise life for those with OCD. Medical attention, support from family and support from people in similar circumstances, especially where they meet and talk, is required.
OCD is usually defined as a mental disorder through which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations (obsessions) and behaviours that drive them to do something over and over (compulsions) again.
Often the person behaves in this way to get rid of the obsessive thoughts. However, this only provides short-term relief.
Angelica Mkorongo, founder of a mental health support group, speaks on lived experience and is on a mission to raise awareness.
“I, for years, had visions, horrific episodes flashed in my mind. I had this compulsive urge to take a knife and stab a loved one.
“I never liked being in the kitchen, I had the obsession to get a knife, slash my wrists or my spouse, for that reason I avoided the kitchen. On one visit to an orphanage, I was handed over a week-old baby. I handed back the baby.
“I felt like smashing the baby on the floor. It was around late 90s . . . that I Googled what was wrong with me. I had prayed without ceasing and the more I prayed, the more compulsive the urge to do harm grew. Only then did I get to realise that what I felt was a disease known as OCD
“I needed help, I was a patient and needed not be ashamed of the thoughts that played in my mind,” said Mkorongo speaking to St Dominic’s Class of 85 Reunion in Emerald Hill in August.
Apparently, there were no support groups for OCD patients, but this is set to be a thing of the past.
Support groups open up safe space for people in need to meet, speak without fear of judgment, listen to cadres who have overcome similar experiences, seek help and get the necessary support around the clock.
Membership to the OCD support group is free.
