THE World Health Organization, in 1992, set aside October 10th of every year as the World Mental Health Day. The date was chosen to create awareness about the salient issues around mental health. The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Mental Health At Work’, picked to highlight the importance of mental health in the workplace.
It is estimated that at least 15 to 20 per cent of working adults will experience one form of mental health challenge or the other. This translates to roughly one in five adults in the workplace. Mental health is an important aspect of a person overall health, defined by the WHO as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing of an individual. What this definition implies is that health has tripod components: physical, mental and social. Thus, we cannot talk about prioritizing a healthy workforce for maximal productivity without paying attention to the three components of health.
Mental illness negatively impacts productivity and cost a lot of money in terms of lost productivity. Globally, depression and anxiety lead to $12 billion lost workdays each year, which translates into a cost of about $1 trillion in lost productivity.
For individuals who are experiencing mental health challenges, the workplace can be a very stressful and hostile environment. This is more likely to be true with the presence of bullying and harassment, shaming and stigma, as well as discrimination. Other negative workplace characteristics include rigid and inflexible work hours, inconsiderate and excessive workloads, discrimination, toxicity and lack of support from colleagues and superiors at work.
In Nigeria, we pay scant attention to the issue of mental health. However, public health institutions offering mental health services are now recording a sharp increase in the number of new cases monthly. Few years ago, new mental health cases averaged between 5 and 10 on a daily basis, but most of our psychiatric hospitals now record between 25 and 30 cases, indicating over 200 per cent increment. Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye, who gave the figures, is the Chief Medical Director at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba.
Of major concern to him is the shortage of experts in the field of mental health as well as the scant attention paid to it the country. Only 10 states in Nigeria have a dedicated facility for the treatment and management of mental health challenges. Compounding the problem is the scant number of resident experts in the field owing to the relocation of majority of them to Europe and America.
Presently, Nigeria has less than 300 psychiatric doctors and an even lesser number of occupational therapists to a population of over 200 million people.
Some states in the country cannot even boast of one qualified psychiatric doctor. The harsh economic environment that Nigerians have found themselves in the last couple of years have been identified as one of the major reasons for the boom in the number of mental health cases in the country.
Many Nigerians are going through hell surviving in the country due to the harsh economic conditions they are subjected to. Some are considering the easy way out through suicide, which has reportedly been on the rise in recent times. In Nigeria, suicide rate presently stands at 6.9 per cent of 100,000 population, indicating about 15,000 deaths by suicide. However, for every suicide successfully carried out, there are between 20 to 25 attempted suicides, meaning they were unsuccessful.
The question is if our leaders are interested in alleviating the sufferings of the masses, as their actions and policies are not in tandem with the objective of safeguarding the mental health of their citizens. Rather, they are compounding an already bad situation, further entrenching citizens in misery and hopelessness.
Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again by Ola Rotimi is a comedic play set in post-independence Nigeria, focused on Major Lejoka-Brown, a former soldier turned politician with multiple wives. His marriages were strategic, especially his union with Sikira, aimed to boost his political career. The plot thickens when his American-educated wife, Lizzy, returns, challenging his polygamous lifestyle and promoting gender equality. The play humorously critiques political and marital norms, culminating in Lizzy becoming his sole wife. The title of the play, however, is an apt description of what is happening in Nigeria and in most African countries.
Some of our leaders in Africa behave as if they have gone mad, stealing what they do not need and in the process, impoverishing their citizenry. Recently, a former Governor in one of the South Eastern States in Nigeria told the world that he now boards commercial flights, as the cost of maintaining his private jet was becoming too much for him. The former Governor, now, a Senator, should be bold enough to tell Nigerians how he was able to acquire the jet in the first instance if it is not from the coffers of the state he once presided over.
He is one of the leaders we should inquire from if everything is okay with him considering the humongous estate he built with about 500 rooms in his village in Abia State. For crying out loud, what does he need such a gigantic structure for? While he was the Governor, what did he do to benefit his people? And has he spared a thought for what would become of his 500-room estate after his demise? I doubt if any of his children would have the same resources to continue to maintain his extravagant lifestyle that he is now struggling to maintain out of power. There are several others like him, who have managed to amass stupendous wealth while in power and now struggling to maintain their ill-gotten wealth outside of office.
Perhaps it is time to pay closer attention to the mental health of those who aspire to rule over us in Nigeria to ensure that their policies and actions would tally with other world leaders with sound mental health who are implementing sound economic policies that are positively impacting the lives of their people. Let us appraise ten of such leaders from diverse backgrounds and resource-rich economies who rise above obstacles to achieve remarkable progress in their countries and demonstrate the diversity of approaches to governance that characterizes Africa’s vibrant leadership tapestry.
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt has guided his country through intricate political and economic terrain with his main areas of interests including drawing in international investment and developing infrastructure, such as the extension of the Suez Canal. El-Sisi’s focus on stability and security has calmed the country after years of instability, even though issues with political freedom and human rights still exist.
Another is Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, who places a high priority on environmental preservation, combating corruption, and promoting open communication and inclusivity. Her emphasis on gender equality and education in addition to economic changes gives Tanzanians hope for a more just and prosperous future.
Paul Kagame of Rwanda has been in charge of Rwanda since 2000, and his narrative is one of amazing change. Rwanda rose from the ashes of the genocide to become a symbol of stability and development. Kagame’s emphasis on economic development, good governance, and technology has produced some amazing benefits, including improved healthcare and a decrease in poverty. Even though his dictatorial tendencies are concerning, he ranks highly due to his indisputable contributions to Rwanda’s reconstruction.
Wavel Ramkalawan of Seychelles, whose top priorities are tackling climate change and striking a balance between tourism and environmental preservation, stands out by emphasizing social welfare and sustainable development, through which he hopes to preserve his island nation’s natural beauty while securing a prosperous future for the citizens.
When President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia was elected in 2021, he took over an economy that was struggling and a populace deeply divided. He attacked corruption right away, giving economic diversification top priority, and embracing accountability and transparency. Zambia’s economic recovery appears promising, given his emphasis on agriculture, renewable energy, and luring in international investment. Hichilema’s stance is further strengthened by his dedication to democratic principles and human rights.
Prithvirajsing Roopun of Mauritius is arguably the greatest African president, under whom Mauritius frequently outperforms its rivals in every area. Since he came to office, the island nation has rebranded itself as the premier travel destination in Africa. As a result of this realignment, Mauritius is now at the top of all the positive indexes.
Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana’s top priorities since 2018 are good governance, openness, and economic diversification beyond the diamond industry. Masisi’s emphasis on healthcare, education, and environmental preservation is intended to guarantee Botswana’s long-term viability and fair growth.
Nana Addo Akufo-Addo of Ghana is Africa’s finest president for 2019, according to research done by Leaders of Today, a Canadian organization. President Nana Addo Akufo and his staff were able to significantly lower inflation from 15.4% in 2016 to 10.4% in 2021. “One District, One Manufacturing Facility” is a program he runs. In just over four years, more than 76 groups were functioning under 1D1F. During one period of his presidency, the local population employed around 550,000 people. Ghana’s GIR climbed from $6.1 billion (3.5 months’ worth of imports) in 2016 to $8.6 billion in 2020. (Imports for 4.01 months) Planting for Food as well as Jobs is a software program that has enhanced Ghana’s food output.
Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria greatly improved Algerians’ quality of life since his election victory in 2019. His collaborative leadership style has revolutionized the infrastructure and healthcare sectors. Among his achievements are increasing the Safety Index score from 78.21 in 2021 to 78.25 in 2022, the Ibrahim Index of African Administration has risen by 3.3 points since he assumed office, and as of 2019, 1.1 million people have been lifted out of poverty, a rise of more than 100,000 over the year before.
Adama Barrow of The Gambia got right to work keeping his campaign promises. The Gambia is now the fourth most peaceful country in Africa, with a Safety Score of 69, up from 67.1 in 2021, an increase in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) from 30% in 2017 to 37 percent, and a three percent growth in GDP on average per year.
Back home, whilst most Nigerians are complaining about the harsh economic policies of the present administration, more hardship is still being meted out on a daily basis. And yet, our leaders are brandishing themselves as our saviours.
Fuel that has been identified as the arteries of the Nigerian economy has now been left in the hands of sharks to determine what Nigerians should pay for it. Corruption and greed have pushed Nigerian leaders to a new height. As of May, last year, fuel price cost less than N200 per litre but it now sells far above N1,000 per litre. Despite this, the salaries of most workers have remained stagnant.
In most developed countries the world over, there is no where they do not have subsidy on one form of services or the other. It may be in Health, education or social welfare to make life more meaningful for their citizens.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the USA and Britian doled out cash termed stimulus package to their citizenry but what Nigerians got are mostly expired foodstuff that had been kept in stores and silos for far too long. Unemployed Americans, the elderly, retired military men and women have monthly pay cheques that takes care of their needs. Same with those that have one form of disability or the other. Now, tell me why an American citizen would not be loyal to their country. We demand loyalty and sacrifice from Nigerians but what do they get in return? It is the masses that should tighten their belts while the leaders feed fat at the table.
Many of our leaders in Africa stole so much from their countries that one would ask whether they are mentally balanced. Of what importance is funds looted and kept outside the shores of the continent for the benefit of those you term your colonisers and oppressors? As though isn’t bad enough, most wouldn’t willingly relinquish power.
In neigbouring Cameroon, 91-year-old Paul Biya has been in the saddle for donkey years and he is not ready to hand over power to a younger and more competent successor despite his poor health. Rumoured to have died in France recently, his government has now banned the media from reporting or talking about his health. If he is not ready to leave office, I am sure that the office would definitely leave him when death eventually comes calling. Biya is not the only sit-tight leader in Africa that is adding little or no value to the lives of their people. In the same league is the President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who is over 80 years old, and has ruled the country for 43 years, while in the Republic of Congo, there is Denis Sassou Nguesso who has held on to power for 38 years.
In Uganda, the story is not different, as Yoweri Museveni, 79, has ruled his country for 38 years since January 1986. Similarly, Isaias Afwerki, 76, has been Eritrea’s President since the East African country gained independence in 1993, while Ismaïl Omar Guellé, has been ruling as President of Djibouti since 1999, despite his declining health condition.
In the same manner, the likes of Paul Kagame, Rwanda’s President, has been in power since year 2000; Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of Togo, since 2005, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, President of Ivory Coast, since 2010, among others. They have all found ways around their respective political systems to perpetuate themselves in power, in some instances against the wish of their citizens.
The continent as a whole continues to suffer from leaders attempting to extend their terms in office and adopt a rigid mindset. The despotic nature of these dictators has not only caused immense suffering for majority of the populace, but has also had a detrimental effect on the continent’s overall progress and development. As depicted in Ola Rotimi’s ‘Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again’, it is clear that some of our African leaders might have lost their senses of reasoning.
As the world marks this year’s World Mental Health Day, we need to pay more attention to the mental health of those asking for our votes in the future. Perhaps they should be ready to submit themselves for mental evaluation to know whether they are fit to hold such offices. We have not been lucky in Africa, especially Nigeria, with leaders that are dedicated to the growth and development of the people. More often than not, it is usually their pockets and the welfare of their immediate families that are their primary concerns. The question that keeps begging an answer remains: When are we going to get it right?
See you next week.
- Akintunde is the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Glittersonline newspaper. His syndicated column, Monday Discourse, appears on News Point Nigeria newspaper on Mondays.