Mental health is just as crucial as physical health, but in Mwenezi district Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe, it is not treated with the same level of seriousness. Despite its commonness, mental health is a taboo subject in most communities, so individuals endure their experiences in silence.
It is a subject that is not widely discussed in Rural areas, however, it touches individuals from various backgrounds, including youths grappling with identity and external pressure, women dealing with societal expectations, and adults weighed down by financial and personal problems.
Rural women face unique challenges that impact their mental health. Some of the factors include Societal Factors which include poverty, limited financial resources and economic instability contribute to stress and anxiety. Stigma, negative attitudes and prejudices surrounding mental health issues can prevent women from seeking help.
Limited Education and Awareness lack of knowledge about mental health and available resources hinders access to care. In addition, we also have Community Factors that include Limited Access to Mental Health Services shortage of mental health professionals and services in rural areas makes it difficult for women to receive necessary care.
Transportation Barriers limited access to transportation can prevent women from reaching mental health services.
For women, it is overwhelming to balance work, home, and societal roles because these are heavy societal expectations. The majority of working women experience burnout but feel shy about maintaining their mental well-being.
Employers rarely consider mental health a problem, and workers enjoy little or no support within the workplace . The cultural belief that a woman should endure challenges in marriage, keep a home, and hide personal difficulties and this fueled a silent mental health crisis. For example in some of the places in Mwenezi we find out that women are the ones who wakeup early to prepare for children to go to school, clean the house, cook and go to field while the man of the house is sleeping. They are the once who think of what to eat and where to find it. As they complain about it then the community encourage them to endure their pain in that same place and not even talk to the man to help her wife with house chores. As a result most women suffer from mental health and no one care about them because people think that mental health problem is not an illness.
Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the major factors contributing to the deterioration of mental health in women. According to the research it is noticed that, one in every three women in Zimbabwe has suffered some form of gender-based violence, Most victims of such violence do not report these cases because of fear, stigma, or economic reliance on their abusers. The experience of such abuse may result in diseases such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Single mothers, divorcees, and widows also face social stigmatization. They are stereotyped by society as failures, which negatively impacts their self-esteem and mental well-being. Economic hardships render them even more stressed in a capitalist economic system where it is already a Herculean feat to be financially stable.
Mental health is something that touches us all—teens struggling to discover themselves, women battling in silence, and adults bearing the burden of responsibility. The time has come to break the silence and begin to talk about mental health with the earnestness it deserves by Increase Mental Health Literacy as to Educate rural women about mental health and available resources to reduce stigma and promote help-seeking behavior. Improve Access to Mental Health Services by expand mental health services in rural areas, including increasing the number of mental health professionals and providing transportation assistance. Community-Based Initiatives due to implement community-led interventions, such as support groups and counseling services, to provide social support and promote mental well-being. Address Socioeconomic Determinants by address underlying socioeconomic issues, such as poverty and housing instability, to reduce stress and promote mental health and we alao need Culturally Responsive Care to provide culturally sensitive mental health services that acknowledge the unique experiences and values of rural women.
We can also encourage the communities to
1.Promote Open Discussions: Families should provide secure environments where young people, women, and men feel free to share their challenges without fear of criticism.
2.Mental Health Education: Schools, workplaces, and communities should teach people about mental health in order to reduce stigma and promote early intervention (WHO, 2022).
3.Accessible Mental Health Services: The private sector and government should invest in affordable therapy and counseling services, particularly in rural areas where these facilities are lacking.
4.Community Support Groups: Setting up local support groups to suit different demographics can provide individuals with a feeling of community and reduce feelings of loneliness.
We need to create an environment where reaching out for help is not regarded as a sign of weakness but as a step on the road to healing. No one should suffer in silence when there is healing. As Women in Governance and Peace building , we need to change the narrative. Mental health is real, and it matters. First, we need to prepare, look, listen, care, and be there for those who need us the most.