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are we going to change the software and not risk
losing the original forever.
A close look at a community as a whole reveals
three attributes that play an enormous role in
well-being: belonging, support and purpose. Let
me easy your mind by attending to why Community
Mental Health is important? We are social
beings and we are not meant to live in isolation.
Community is critical for us to thrive, especially
with the increase in life stressors we experience
each day, loneliness and isolation will fast track
our exit from the face of earth. Remember to
love people around you, care to know how your
neighbors are doing, love each other in the community
after all we are all in the same bus on this
life journey. Although bus tops differ but we are
all going to disembark from the bus at a certain
time.
A brief look on community elements that are
critical to mental health below gives us the hope
which all what we need.
Belonging
If you’ve ever felt like you don’t fit in, you know
it can be a lonely experience. The community
provides a sense of belonging - a group you identify
as being a part of. This is different from
conforming to be in a group. A true sense of
belonging includes the ability to feel you are a
part of the community as your true self. You do
not have to change anything to be a part of the
community, but instead you are embraced and
appreciated for your unique qualities. Most
children raised in the city fail to grasp this issue
but going back to the rural village will remind you
of the unconditional love and belonging which
puts your mind at easy. Even after a long period
of absence even 10 years, when you return the
local elders will always say “mukomana wakauya,
regai ndimbosvika ndimuone” meaning the
young man has just returned from the city, let me
visit him. The visit is usually characterised by the
elders sharing stories on what happened during
your absence and reminiscence of the better old
days inter-paced by jovial laughter as you share
some beer (typically provided by the young man
who works in the city). After all sharing is caring!
Everyone should have an opportunity to experience
this unrestricted love which heals all life
stressors.
The
minute we
become an
integrated
whole, we
look
through
the same
eyes and
we see a
whole
different
world
together.
For a
community
to be
whole and
healthy, it
must be
based on
people’s
love
and
concern
for each
other.
Support
Who do you turn to when you need something?
Having reliable people to call on when you any
form of help or just to talk can ease difficult situations
that might feel insurmountable if you were
alone. Knowing there are people who are ready to
support you makes you feel cared for and safe. It
can even can improve your outlook on life. This
goes without saying “do unto others what you
would like them to do unto you.”
Purpose
People play different roles in the community.
Perhaps you are the friend who enjoys cooking
and can be counted on to bring a hot meal over
when a member of the community is down with
flu or the great oracle of wisdom who bears the
solutions to all life’s challenges. These roles can
give people a sense of purpose and importance as
they contribute towards the betterment of other
people’s lives. Having a purpose and helping
others gives life meaning.
However, the community can sometimes thrust
an overwhelming role upon one of its members,
for instance you can end up feeling like a punching
bag when friends or neighbors are in the habit
of offloading their stress on you. The solution is
simple - just point them in the right direction
where they can get help! Successfully encouraging
a friend suffering from emotional distress and
anxiety to engage a trained therapist could not
only enable them to overcome their condition,
but will leave room for other enjoyable pursuits in
your friendship.
Taking Responsibility for Community
Mental Health
Every community is responsible for its well-being.
Barack Obama, a former President of the United
States of America noted that “Change will not
come if we wait for some other person or some
other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting
for. We are the change that we seek.” Therefore,
everyone should consider how they can contribute
towards betterment of the community, in
particular finding solutions to community challenges
in view of what you have - knowledge,
resources, positions and level of influence.
Contued to page..............
Feb 2022 Issue 1 Mental Balance 23