Breaking the Silence: Challenging Societal Stigmas Surrounding Depression and Anxiety

in #hive-1153683 days ago

Depression and anxiety are two of the biggest threats to human mental health; the weight of these invisible foes can feel suffocating, isolating, and overwhelming. Many of us face this mental health issue, but the complexity of the society in which we live has stopped us from seeking health because it is not a normal thing we do or we have to tough it out.

Image source

Society's norms, expectations, and misconceptions significantly contribute to the issues surrounding depression and anxiety. The pressure to appear "strong" and "put-together" at all times, along with the fear of being labeled as "weak" or "broken," creates societal expectations that foster a culture of silence and shame. We can see many husbands, fathers, brothers, or boyfriends toughing it out because they don't want to be seen as weak. Their issue is something they should figure out without the help of anyone, and most of the time they suffer in silence.

You might think it is just the male that suffers this alone. The single mothers, wives, sisters, or girlfriends suffer from this too. Everyone is only putting up a front because of the societal stigma surrounding depression and anxiety.

Cultural barriers further add to the issue surrounding depression and anxiety, as different communities may hold varying beliefs, attitudes, and taboos related to mental health.

In Yoruba culture, it is taboo for a man to complain about feeding his family. All he needs to do is go out to work and bring home food. If he can't provide for his family, he will be seen as lazy even when he is doing his best to provide. Many times, this has forced many Yoruba men into doing shady business because they want to appear to society that they are carrying out their cultural responsibility properly.

In Igbo culture, women are not permitted to complain no matter how bad they are treated immediately they are married off. What ever they are going through in their marriage, they are meant to suck it up and put up with it. Even when they are sad, they must appear happy in front of other people. This is why many people tag Igbo women as strong-hearted, most of the things they are putting up with many different women can't.

Many of them suffer from depression and anxiety, which has led to many young people dying young.

Image generated Link

As we navigate the complexities of societal and cultural barriers to addressing mental health stigma, let us remember that our stories, struggles, and journeys are valid and worthy of compassion and empathy. When you see the signs in someone close to you, draw them closer, ask questions, and help them overcome this issue of depression and anxiety. There are many wrong things depression and anxiety can do to our health and you can read about it Here

Spread love and more awareness on mental health. Thanks for reading.

Posted Using INLEO

Sort:  

Bzzzrrr, não é fácil estar silencioso, né? E hora de quebrar essa barreira, de falar sobre a depressão e a ansiedade. Não é um sinal de fraqueza ser honesto sobre a sua saúde mental! #hivebr

AI generated content

Yes. people need to talk more about this things and that way, helping them will be easy.

Buuuuz, totally agree, Fashtioluwa! It's time to shed light on mental health, and I'm buzzing with excitement to share my own experiences. Let's create a vibrant community where everyone feels comfortable opening up!

AI generated content

This cultural bias is what has kept many in depression and anxiety. It is high time people understand that it is okay to not be strong and that it is okay to cry. No more putting up fronts like you are superman. Even superman has a weakness👍

Very true. It's time we start seeing human as human.

Yes o

I do much value my mental health if I noticed any sign of it I don't wait for any help. I find a solution immediately. It's not easy to be strong in a selfish and greedy society that most people think about just themselves but nevertheless we have to take care of each other in every little way we can.

Nicely said.
Once we notice something is causing harm to our mental heath. Either person, animal, place or thing. We need to do away with them.

Nice points raised here. I feel there is need to go in directions other than the cultural prototype, for my health's sake I will gladly ignore any belief that is glaringly detrimental to my mental health.

Recently, someone was talking about how men are expected to show love by footing bills of their spouse, and he even gave cultural backings to his claims. I only smiled and said nothing but wonder when love became a transaction.

As you stated in your interesting piece, some cultures are also against women. The best is to make informed decisions rather than base one's life on some cultural beliefs established by some men who are long gone from the current reality.

Nice writeup well done.

the funny part is that some women believe in this cultural stigma. The man should provide, and she's meant to do nothing. This is how bad the society is .

@fashtioluwa very true.. it's well..

Imagine not being able to talk about your problems because you’re Igbo or Yuroba. And who even said w r have to follow such rules. At the end of the day, we might as well run mad from overthinking.

Things need to really change and that change starts with us .

yeah. As the first born now, and the first male, you are not meant to complain to your siblings because you have to look strong for them so they can look up to you.

As for me, I have shown them I am weak and we are helping each other grow.

Haa! Hard boy wey be weak.😂

Thank you for sharing this.😔

Thanks for reading

Obrigado por promover a comunidade Hive-BR em suas postagens.

Vamos seguir fortalecendo a Hive

Metade das recompensas dessa resposta serão destinadas ao autor do post.

Vote no @perfilbrasil para Testemunha Hive.