Mental Health & the Malawi Context (Part 2!)

In the second part of this series Alex and a panel of experts consider the cultural and social challenges for Malawi in moving forward the understanding of not only mental health but also the range of conditions that have mental health challenges. People are ultimately looking for a solution and in Malawi, there is progress needed in both naming the illness (the problem) and looking for a solution. In any culture and religion, different things are measured and considered normal and education has a role to play in ensuring a change for the next generation. Mental health is about having a series of tools that can help you deal with a range of different situations and this lively discussion looks at the possibilities.  Sign up to Jessen's webinar here: https://bit.ly/bizwm   KEY TAKEAWAYS In Malawi there is considerable stigma around mental health with some believing that those with mental illness are bewitched in some way and this can lead to the whole family being outcast. It’s about finding a solution that enables you to stay within your own community and be accepted. Africans make a clear distinction between traditional healers – someone who will explain your condition and then offer treatment and a witch doctor who comes in and says you are bewitched. If you are not sure about who you are you can never be mentally stable. Mental health is about your surroundings as well as your own self. It’s about your communication within yourself, to yourself, with your surroundings and if this is in harmony you are healthy. Every environment you are in when you are growing up has an influence. Mental health issues cannot be out-thought by the individual. Mental health is a very complex topic that touches on the very core of human beings. All things together bring balance to each individual’s mental health. The mental state of a person and a mental illness are 2 different things.   BEST MOMENTS ‘Traditional healers are like a doctor but a witch doctor is far away from a doctor’ ‘Our cultural divide means you are bound to what you have grown up with’ ‘Where we are the western world has been and moved on, this is not unique to Malawi’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business, Wealth and Mindset podcast series   ABOUT THE HOST Alex is a prize-winning chartered accountant with experience in financial markets from trading finance, capital hedging, structural foreign exchange and interest rates to operational risk from the world’s top financial and advisory institutions including Deloitte, RBS and JPMorgan Chase Alex has been involved in property development programmes across different types since 2008, building and managing a portfolio that includes standard buy-to-lets, student accommodation and other houses in multiple occupancy (HMOs). He specialises in raising finance, providing potential investors, investors and joint venture partners with ad hoc (to their specific requirements), hands-free and hassle-free property investments solutions as well as coaching and mentoring Alex aspires to share business and financial knowledge with upcoming entrepreneurs and experienced business minds to learn and master the concepts and mindsets required to succeed, stand-out, have the edge and make a difference. Alex is also a keen traveller, cyclist and photographer.   CONTACT METHOD Facebook https://www.facebook.com/alexsapalaofficial/ Twitter - @alex_sapala https://twitter.com/alex_sapala You Tube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgZ1DCPGAu5c2yhOkfGZRSQ