HEALTH

MENTAL CHALLENGES

“…young people should avoid substance abuse...” Ghangha Jamin G.

Medical Laboratory Scientist, Ghangha Jamin G.

It is October 10, 2018 on World Mental Health Day and celebrated under the theme, “Young people and mental health in changing world.” I read through the website of  WHO and found this, "Adolescence and the early years of adulthood are a time of life when many changes occur, for example changing schools, leaving home, and starting university or a new job. For many, these are exciting times. They can also be times of stress and apprehension however. In some cases, if not recognized and managed, these feelings can lead to mental illness. The expanding use of online technologies, while undoubtedly bringing many benefits, can also bring additional pressures, as connectivity to virtual networks at any time of the day and night grows" http://www.who.int/mental_health/world-mental-health-day/2018/en/

After reading these phrases above, this reporter is on the streets of Yaoundé, capital city of Cameroon. Looking at both sides of the road as he walks, something catches his attention; that is from around Pharmacie EMIA to Carrefour Obili, he finds close to 10 mentally challenged people on the streets (note that this distance is less than half a kilometer). As one might have noticed recently, it appears many of such patients seem to prefer and feel most comfortable in city centers and towns than in rural areas. Here, many questions started running through my mind such as why their rooming on the streets? What could be the cause(s) of their predicaments? What if I were the one? What can I and the society at large do for their lives to be better and for their rehabilitation? I then started accusing their families for letting out their mad relatives to take to the streets and find an abode in trash cans. I quickly remembered the Government should have done something too by creating centers that cater for such people. I thought and thought and thought.

It was indeed a challenging one and considering that little education has been done on it and the less concern the society gives to the mentally challenged, I decided to talk to an expert and specialist-young Medical Laboratory Scientist who works in psychiatric center in the North West Region of Cameroon, Ghangha Jamin G.

I started by asking of what he makes of the situation of mental diseases in Cameroon

Ghangha Jamin G: Mental diseases are highly neglected in our communities today. They(patients) suffer stigmatization on daily bases reason being that mental health is seen as something mystical and usually attributed to witchcraft.

How many categories of mental diseases do we identify in our treatment centers like yours?

 Ghangha Jamin G:  there are a good number of them. We have schizophrenic patients, those suffering from depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and many others. The cases may become chronic and manifest symptoms like hallucinations, total insomnia (sleeplessness), aggressiveness which could be verbal or physical.

How do we manage the different cases as a community given that many of the mad people as you say are very aggressive?

Ghangha Jamin G:  avoid stigmatization as much as possible. Though they are not okay “upstairs”, see them as just suffering from an illness that can be treated. We don’t refer to those cases as mad people again but as people with mental challenges. Many caretakers and family members resort to beating the patients but beating doesn’t necessarily solve the problem. Rather, have it in mind that they are suffering from an illness like any other…they are not doing so in their right senses. A good alternative is to sedate with some medications such as Haldol and Diazepam before subsequent management of the patient.

What is that main factor you have identified to be the main cause of mental challenges in Cameroon?

Ghangha Jamin G:  environment is the main factor, and this is in three ways. The disease can be viewed as an epidemiological triad; the host, the causative agent and the environment. Note should also be taken that mental health problems can also be genetic. So, if any of your family members has had a mental illness before, know that you may have it one day. It is good to be aware.

How do you treat the various cases you have mentioned and is it as easy as treating someone that has cholera?

Ghangha Jamin G:  treatment can be tablets, injectable, psychotherapy, family therapy, occupational but to be frank with you, the process takes a longer time and according to World Health Organization, WHO, proper management takes at least 2 years and this explains why centers for rehabilitation are needed.

Celebrating this year’s mental health day, which preventive measures can people adopt especially youths in order not to suffer from mental challenges given that the theme this year focuses on this age group?

Ghangha Jamin G:  Good question! The theme of this year’s mental health day is, “Young people and mental health in the changing world." From every indication, WHO has noticed that young people within the age range of 15-39 years are mostly affected by mental health problems. Tips I propose are: young people should avoid substance abuse (alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, tramol just to name but these), they should avoid stress, anxiety and nervous activities that can lead to depression in the future. For example, giving birth at young age (for female) which can lead to puerperal psychosis, dysthymia and many others.  

By Awoh Caleb In Yaounde