At the recent Duchess International Women’s Day Conference 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, Dr. Vicky Minkah-Adom, a partner in the NHS, UK, delivered a poignant presentation on the critical importance of maintaining good mental well-being, particularly among women and girls in Africa.
Dr. Minkah-Adom shared her personal journey, highlighting how significant life experiences impacted her mental health despite no prior family history of such issues. She emphasized the need for support over judgment, cautioning against insensitive attitudes that can exacerbate mental health challenges.
Drawing attention to alarming statistics, Dr. Minkah-Adom cited data from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicating that one in four individuals in Nigeria, roughly 50 million people, suffer from some form of mental disorder. Nigeria holds Africa’s highest burden of depression and ranks 15th globally in suicide rates.
Regarding anxiety, Dr. Minkah-Adom clarified that while it’s normal to experience occasional worry or tension, excessive anxiety can indicate an anxiety disorder. She outlined various causes, including genetics, life experiences, and circumstances, and explained different types of anxiety disorders.
To manage anxiety and depression, Dr. Minkah-Adom stressed the importance of understanding and support, involvement of faith groups, and the effectiveness of talking therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and applied relaxation. She also underscored the need for enhanced education and community support for better mental health outcomes.
Dr. Vicky Minkah-Adom’s presentation at the Duchess International Women’s Day Conference 2024 shed light on mental health challenges, advocating for support, understanding, and education to enhance mental well-being, especially among women and girls in Africa.
