Mental health/ Interview with Dr Bekeyi Sogoyou, Expert in clinical and health psychology

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Extract from the article: In Africa, and particularly in Togo, mental health is a growing concern. According to the WHO, mental health problems account for up to 11% of the risk factors associated with suicide. In 2022, mental disorders affected 116 million people in Africa.

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« Untreated mental disorders can contribute to the development of physical pathologies, affect the immune system and increase the risk of chronic diseases »

 

In Africa, and particularly in Togo, mental health is a growing concern.  According to the WHO, mental health problems account for up to 11% of the risk factors associated with suicide. In 2022, mental disorders affected 116 million people in Africa. Many countries on the continent face challenges such as stigma, lack of access to mental health services, poor funding and a shortage of qualified professionals. Socio-economic, political and cultural factors influence the perception and management of mental health problems. But to overcome these mental health problems, awareness campaigns should be run to educate the population about mental health, thereby reducing stigma and encouraging people to seek help. Community programmes offering psychological support should also be set up, guided by social workers or trained professionals. This is what Dr Bekeyi Sogoyou, an expert in clinical and health psychology, emphasises in this interview.

Health-Education: Is mental suffering a serious problem in Togo?

Dr Bekeyi Sogoyou: Yes, mental illness is a serious problem throughout the world, as it is in Togo. Factors such as conflict, poverty, stigmatisation and lack of access to mental health care contribute to a significant prevalence of mental disorders. This is why it is important to raise awareness and take action to address these challenges in order to improve the mental health of people in Africa and Togo in particular.

What factors contribute to mental health problems?

In Togo, limited resources, conflict and lack of access to psychological care are factors that contribute to mental health problems.Often it is cultural prejudices surrounding mental health that make it difficult to recognise mental disorders and prevent people from seeking help. Yet we know that structural challenges and socio-economic pressures often increase stress and anxiety within the population, thereby aggravating mental health problems.We must not forget that other factors also contribute to the high suicide rate in Africa, and particularly in Togo.

In urban environments, more and more people are vulnerable. Traditional systems for protecting individuals are weak, and so suicides and illnesses are on the increase.In the city, there is a particular type of person who has left the rural environment to meet the needs of their family.If they can't find work, if they can't meet the family's enormous expectations in terms of solidarity and contribution to their needs, they feel an enormous sense of shame.

Religion, according to information.tv5monde.com, may also play a role in the suicide rate, although the specific details are not clearly defined.The lack of financial resources allocated to this area, shortages of qualified mental health professionals and the prioritisation of physical health problems over mental problems may be factors in insufficient care in this area.

Mental suffering can cause serious pathologies.  How can this be explained?

Untreated mental suffering can have serious consequences for overall health.Untreated mental disorders can contribute to the development of physical pathologies, affect the immune system and increase the risk of chronic diseases.  They can also have a negative impact on lifestyle habits such as sleep, diet and physical activity.

This can be explained by the chronic stress associated with mental suffering, which can trigger harmful physiological responses such as an increase in stress hormones, which in the long term can contribute to health problems such as cardiovascular disease, immune disorders and inflammation. In addition, mental health behaviours such as unbalanced eating habits and lack of exercise can have a direct impact on physical health.Economic, political and security crises, pandemics and social unrest all have an impact on the mental health of Togolese people. 

How can we raise awareness?

We know that awareness of mental health varies from country to country. In some countries, there is a growing awareness, supported by educational initiatives and awareness-raising efforts.However, challenges persist due to cultural stigma, lack of education and limited access to appropriate services. This is why it is crucial to continue to promote understanding of mental health and encourage open discussions to reduce prejudice and improve access to care.Above all, it should be noted that the understanding of mental health and mental illness can vary within the Togolese population.In some communities, there may be a tendency to confuse the two because of the stigma associated with mental disorders.However, with increased awareness, more and more people are recognising the importance of mental health as an essential component of overall wellbeing, distinct from mental illness. Ongoing education on this subject helps to dispel misunderstandings and promote a more nuanced view of mental health.

Raising awareness of mental health in Africa is a major challenge. According to studies, Africa has the highest suicide death rate in the world.In response to this crisis, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched a campaign to raise awareness and encourage suicide prevention in the African region.The campaign aims to reach 10 million people in the region, raising awareness among the general public and mobilising the support of governments and decision-makers to devote more attention and funding to mental health programmes.

These efforts include building the capacity of healthcare workers to better deal with people with suicidal thoughts, educating people who might have such thoughts and showing them where to get help, according to the same source. The aim is also to raise public awareness of how to identify and help people in need, and to help combat the stigma associated with suicide, epilepsy, mental disorders and substance abuse.

Despite these efforts, suicide prevention is rarely a priority in national health programmes.It is therefore crucial to invest more in tackling the growing burden of chronic diseases and non-infectious diseases such as mental disorders that can lead to suicide in Africa.

What attitude should you adopt when you are suffering?

Share your feelings with a friend, family member or healthcare professional.Verbal expression can relieve some of the emotional burden.Consult a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, for specialist support and advice.Incorporate relaxing activities into your daily routine, such as meditation or regular physical exercise. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek rapid and accurate diagnosis and appropriate recommendations.Don't forget that asking for help is a courageous and important step in taking care of your mental health.

Interview by Raymond DZAKPATA