Essential Grace Magazine 1|Es s en ti al May 2022
Grace Magazine
2022 Vol.M a2y Issue 10
How is your mental health lately? Are you feeling alright? Are you sleeping well? Have you connected with others in the last few days? Do you need to speak to someone?
Our mental health should take as much priority as our physical and spiritual health. It is each individual’s responsibility to know when and how to care for their mental health. Learn what works, and what doesn’t, what you need and how to provide for it. Take back control, learn more about your mind, and reap the healthier, more peaceful rewards.
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In this Issue … Monthly Theme Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 Features Mai Mbambande Myths vs Facts on Mental Health Connect with a Friend Campaign Mental Health What is Loneliness? Strategies for Managing Loneliness Depression and Loneliness: A terrible Combination Health and Wellness My Journey with Depression Hope Chawala Banda: I Burnt my Suicide Note. Resources
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Dear Reader,
Welcome to the May edition of Essential Grace. Our cover feature this month is a symbol of embracing your light. Often, we are reluctant to embrace our talents, our gifts, skills and abilities. We know we are capable of doing great things yet we bury that knowledge under layers of self-doubt, poor self-esteem and negative perceptions of ourselves. As we explore the month of mental health awareness, we meet three individuals who have embraced their light and are making an impact on society through their talents. These people did not just wake up one day and start doing what they do, I’m sure it took a lot of courage to step up to their platforms and show the world what they have to offer. Hope Banda talks about his latest book I Burnt my Suicide Note as well as his personal mental health journey. Deborah Mbale shares on her brand Mai Mbambande and her personal coping style with mental health issues. We also learn more about the Talk to a Friend posters that have been making the rounds on social media. I hope that you will continue to be curious when it comes to mental health and wellness, in this area knowledge really is power. Loneliness is the theme for this year’s mental health awareness campaign. How do you handle loneliness? Let us know through our social media pages or directly to the editor through essentialgrace@zoho.com Enjoy the read! Julie Soko Managing Editor
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Julie Soko
Mtendere Kishindo
Thandi De Jong
Naomi Msusa
Managing Editor
Sub - Editor
Editorial Assistant
Editorial Art and Design
Essential Grace is a free online publication that is focused of promoting mental health and wellness in Malawi and around the world.
Follow and subscribe to the magazine at www.issuu.com/essentialgrace follow, like, and share on our social media platforms; @EssentialGraceMagazine @essentialgracemagazine.mw 0995 147 290 Comments and feedback on any of our content can be addressed to essentialgrace@zoho.com
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Did you know … Most of our editorial content is contributed by our readers. We welcome your ideas, articles, questions, images, and feedback. Submit your content to the editor at essentialgrace@zoho.com
Special thanks to this month’s contributors: Deborah Mbale Keith Banda
Hope Chawala Banda II Ginamarie Guarino (online source) Anonymous
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Monthly Theme
Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 Why loneliness? Everyone is bound to experience loneliness at one time or another. No one is exempt from this condition. Being lonely can lead to poor mental health; yet it can also be a symptom of poor mental health. In recent times, many of us have become isolated especially in relation to improvised work settings during the pandemic, and improved access to online resources. Social lives have suffered under the restrictions around COVID 19, so much so that many people are lonelier now than in the past. The more isolated we become, the more we are likely to develop social anxiety and become even more avoidant of other people. The articles in this month’s issue have been curated to raise awareness of this theme and to serve as a reminder that as human beings, as Africans, we need human connection in order to thrive.
Comments and feedback are welcome through essentialgrace@zoho.com
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Loneliness and Our Mental Health Loneliness affects many of us at one time or another. We know that loneliness can be both the driver for - and a product of - poor mental health. Our society is changing fast. The pandemic has given rise to a sense of loneliness and isolation undermining confidence in daily routines. In recent times, many of us have had far less access to loved ones. Tech is enabling healthcare professionals to see more patients without the need to travel, but on the flip side of the coin, convenience and cost efficiencies are driving more and more activities online. Our workplaces are also changing. With many adapting to home and hybrid working, we need to embrace this change while building and maintaining meaningful connections with our colleagues. Mental Health UK has plenty of recourses for people wanting to learn more about loneliness. Check out their website for more.
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Loneliness is not just about being alone. It is a state of mind that leaves people feeling isolated, alone, and often empty. Although they crave company, lonely people find it hard to form connection with others.
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Features
Our features this month are from two social change-makers in Malawi. Deborah Mbale, the lady behind the dynamic Mai Mbambande brand. We connected with her to discover her views on mental health and the theme of loneliness. We also get to know Mr Keith Banda, the face behind the Talk to a Friend campaign. You may have come across his social media posts encouraging people to open up about mental challenges We can see that there are more campaigns, initiatives, and programs coming up across the country that are geared towards social change, spreading knowledge, rising awareness, and fighting for better mental health resources. This an encouraging development!
If you know of such an initiative, please encourage them and help spread the word. We all need to workhand in hand on becoming more self-aware especially on matters related to mental health.
Comments and feedback are welcome through essentialgrace@zoho.com
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My name is Deborah Wanangwa Mbale. I am 22 years old, the last born in a family of 3 girls. I come from Mbulunji, Isongwe Village T/A Mwahenga in Rumphi.
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I am the Founder and Executive director of Mai Mbambande foundation. A foundation that aims at telling the stories of womanhood and the mystery behind being an outstanding woman in society. This platform was created to motivate, inspire, enlighten and connect with vulnerable people. Mai Mbambande is an open book that also speaks of my own life experiences. I know what it means to be lonely, betrayed, rejected and to not be heard. I have faced many obstacles that have shaped the woman I am today. I know the importance of having a role model and someone who can inspire you because I have been at a place when I did not have one. It is through my own negative experiences that I created this platform, intending it to be a light to many. 12 | E s s e n t i a l G r a c e M a g a z i n e
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My greatest inspiration has been my family and my few close friends. My parents and sisters, Grace and Esther have been my greatest pillars. My friends Richard Masina and Jones Mbera continue to be an inspiration. However, all in in all, I owe my inspiration to my mother Mrs Catherine Mbale. She was the first woman who believed in the idea of Mai Mbambande before there was anything to show the world. I remember one particular conversation I had with her, it was while she came for a visit and found me with a heavy heart. My mother asked me what was wrong and all I said was I am tired of media and I doubt that I am good enough for it. This was after a certain TV personality had told me that my face is not for TV, that I am not beautiful enough to be in the media industry. I was heartbroken and tired of experiencing such a life of being looked down on every day. My mother encouraged me that day, and then simply asked me to remind her of who I am, to which I quickly replied ‘I am Mai Mbambande.’ That is how I started the program which later turned into the Mai Mbambande Foundation.
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To me, mental health is a person’s state of mind that a person has that impacts the way they think. My own experience with poor mental health were related to me battling within myself on whether I was ever good enough for anything, I was constantly being looked down on and belittled. It was hard for me to believe in myself. Besides that, there were difficulties in my relationship, there were times when I had no money or sponsor to pay for school tuition. These experiences led me into a state of depression.
Do I ever experience loneliness? Yes, definitely. There are times when I am working on a project and need someone to support me, encourage or stand with me, or even just to talk to. When I feel such loneliness, I may become quiet, a bit moody or sometimes have an attitude, or avoid people. My way of coping is to run to my loved ones, people I trust especially when I am overwhelmed with something. It helps me when I talk things out when I feel hurt.
I have learnt to believe in myself regardless of who doesn't. I have learnt to let things go and forgive those who hurt me.
I have learnt to be okay with things I do not have power over. I have learnt to talk to God over my fears.
My word to women out there is that they should learn to open up and talk to someone they trust about their struggles. Women should believe in themselves. No situation is paramount, believe that it never rains forever. The sun will shine one day. Keep on believing, working hard, and trusting God. 14 | E s s e n t i a l G r a c e M a g a z i n e
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Mental Illness is rare
o Mental illness is quiet common in many societies around the world
People with mental illness are dangerous o Most people with mental illness are vulnerable and are more likely to be victims rather than perpetrators of violence
Anxiety and panic attacks are imaginary o Many people live with debilitating anxiety that requires medical intervention and psychotherapy
People can deal with mental illness on their own o Mental illness often requires psychiatric evaluation and intervention.
Mental health is only connected to genetics o Mental health is not hereditary; it is a subjective experience that requires unique intervention
Mental illness is only related to spiritual rituals gone wrong o Mental illness is a condition related to the chemical processes in the brain.
Spiritual illness is something else entirely
Mental illness is a punishment from God for wrongdoing o It is dangerous to judge a mentally ill person because of an assumption made on God’s behalf, it may only add to their distress and isolation
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My name is Keith Banda, I'm from Kasungu. I am a social media influencer who is currently on a mental health awareness campaign called "talk to a friend". In 2019 I lost a friend to depression. Ever since that incident happened, I have always paid attention to issues concerning mental health. The idea that people die because of mental health issues bothers me. I have always wanted to do something about it. That is where the idea of starting a mental health awareness campaign came from. Although I have always had an idea of doing something about mental health, this initiative was only introduced to the public in 2022. The main goal of the campaign is to help those who are living with or know someone living with anxiety, stress or depression. In most cases, victims do not talk about what they are going through because they fear being judged. Therefore, the focus of this initiative is to help people to talk freely about their mental health problems - hence the name "talk to a friend". This initiative includes online podcasts and talk shows, where we provide a platform for people who feel comfortable to share their mental health experiences with the rest of the world in an attempt to educate others about various mental health issues. "Talk to a friend" also plans to work with registered counsellors to give people the opportunity to seek professional help and create a safe space where mental health is the only priority and where everyone can open up without feeling judged or invalidated by society. Anyone can use our services, regardless of their gender, sexuality, age, race or social class, and can contact us through all social media platforms. When I hear the word "mental health" the first thing that comes to mind is the emotional, psychological and social well-being of a person. My personal experience with mental health has been a little hectic. I remember there was a time when I was going through depression. I was not open enough to talk about it. So, it kept eating me up inside to the point that I
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believed there was no solution. However, as time went by, I realized that my mental health is just as important as my physical health. As soon as I became aware of that, I knew mental health is just as valuable as life itself. On my life journey, I have learnt that no one is more responsible for my well-being than myself. I have learnt that in life it is okay not be okay, but it is not okay not to let things go.
The advice I can give to readers out there is not to feel ashamed to talk about their mental health issues. It is hard to bring out issues concerning mental health, but talking to someone else can help you with your healing process. Talk to a friend. Contact me: @keithlawole / @agideplus 0991 042 007 / 0884 787 688 keithlawolebokings@gmail.com
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The most powerful thing you can say to anyone with an invisible illness is ‘I believe you!’
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Mental Health
The theme for Mental Health Awareness this year is Loneliness.
Although we may know the term, many of us may not have taken the time to understand what loneliness it, how it works, and how it can have a significantly negative impact on our lives.
Should any of the articles or content in the next section trigger you, please reach out and talk to someone you trust.
Otherwise you can see the resource section for contact details of mental health practioners that can help you in confidence.
Comments and feedback are welcome through essentialgrace@zoho.com
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What is Loneliness? Loneliness’ can mean different things to different individuals. While for some it may mean be being isolated from other people, for others it may mean being lonely even while surrounded by people. Whatever the case, loneliness is a personal experience and one that manifests in different ways. As people, we all have different personalities and needs. Social interaction is one such area that is particular to the individual Some people need more social interaction while others need much less. Some prefer few deep connections while others manage to have many connections without any significant meaning. People feel lonely for many different reasons. It could be through different life transitions, through difficult relationships or breakups. It could be while changing jobs or moving, even retirement can all contribute to feelings of loneliness. Some people are more likely to feel lonely more than others depending on their circumstances. It can be due to physical isolation, living far away from family or friends, belonging to a minority group in a foreign country, or being chronically ill. Those living with a disability or the elderly who cannot go out much may find it even harder to connect with others. Although a lot of people feel lonely, most people will not readily admit to it. Most people prefer to wear a mask and pretend everything is fine. Such behaviour can make anyone feel even more isolated, and reduce the chances of the person seeking help or doing anything about how they feel. Loneliness can be a huge burden on a person’s mental health, as much as it can be a symptom of poor mental health. If you are feeling lonely, if you are isolated and not able to make significant connections with others, consider making some changes in order to improve the quality of your life. If you need to speak to a professional, please check out our resources section for some contact details of mental health professionals that can help you.
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Loneliness can significantly impact an individual’s mental health. Over time, feelings of loneliness can increase one’s risk of developing depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. At the same time, living with a mental health condition can enhance an individual’s feelings of loneliness. What can you do to take better care of your mental health?
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Strategies for Managing Loneliness Feeling lonely? Consider looking into opportunities to form new relationships and social connections. Yes, it is easier said than done, but how about joining a community group, explore a new hobby, start working out, whatever it takes to get you moving in the right direction. It is more common for people to start drinking alcohol and frequenting bars and clubs to find some company. Although this might work in the short –term, it may lead to developing more problems than solutions. If you are surrounded by people yet you still feel lonely, you are probably struggling with being vulnerable. Vulnerability does not come easily to everybody, yet it is one of the best ways of allowing one to connect and be seen by others. Try to open up and allow others to see the real you once in a while, it will work wonders trust me.
Should your symptoms of loneliness become unbearable, worrying, or begin to interfere with your life; it’s time to see a mental health worker. Working with a therapist will help you in processing difficult emotions and thought patterns that are connected to your loneliness. They can also help your form new habits and strategies that will help you get the connections you desire to have.
Check out the resource section to find a mental health worker near you.
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‘Loneliness does not come from having no people about one, but from being unable to communicate the things that seems important to oneself, or from holding certain views which others find inadmissible.’
C. G. Jung
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Depression and Loneliness: A Terrible Combination Ginamarie Guarino Depression and loneliness is a combination that can have serious consequences for someone with major depression. When someone is depressed, they don’t feel like interacting with others and they begin to isolate themselves from family and friends. Depression and loneliness can easily feed into one another, creating a bleak circumstance for the affected person. Whether the depression stems from loneliness, or the loneliness occurs as a result of the depression, the combination of the two can cause a great deal of pain and suffering. Dealing with Depression and Loneliness Dealing with depression and loneliness can be a challenge. Each condition on its own can cause a person to have negative thoughts and feelings about his or her own self-worth, self-esteem and self25 | E s s e n t i a l G r a c e M a g a z i n e
value. When a person is depressed and feeling low, they develop a poor outlook on themselves, the world and the future. As a result, the person will withdraw from friends and family, isolating from the very people who could be supportive and helpful in dealing with their depression and the ensuing negative thoughts. On the other hand, when a person feels lonely, it can cause them to feel depressed. Loneliness is a difficult emotion to feel. People by nature are social creatures. We crave companionship, love and affection to thrive. When we do not have the ability to build and maintain deep and meaningful relationships or are confronted with a situation in which we are separated from our friends and family, it can have a strong negative impact on our ability to cope with day-to-day life stressors. When that happens, it is not
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uncommon for depression to start creeping in. Regardless of which came first, the loneliness or the depression, dealing with both poses a challenge. They threaten a person’s overall quality of life. Here are other symptoms and behaviors that may accompany depression and loneliness:
the depression becomes more severe, it can be hard to know how to best overcome depression and loneliness and the downward spiral may continue. How to Beat Depression and Loneliness
Anxiety
Isolation
Withdrawal from family and friends
When dealing with depression and loneliness, feelings of hopelessness and despair increase. It can feel like things will never get better. However, that is not the truth. There are methods that can be utilized to overcome depression and loneliness
Crying spells
in any circumstance or situation.
Anger outbursts
Behavioral issues
By following the steps below, a person can overcome and beat depression and loneliness:
Negative thoughts
Extreme sadness
Insomnia or hypersomnia
Fatigue
Each of these symptoms and behaviors add fuel to the depression fire. For instance, with depression and loneliness, there’s no one around to counter negative thoughts or encourage you to get the professional help you need. As 26 | E s s e n t i a l G r a c e M a g a z i n e
1. Establish a support system. Consider the friends and family you feel you can trust, even if it is just to have a simple conversation. Any interaction with people will help improve loneliness, which will help ease the feelings of depression. 2. Reach out to professionals. Consult with your primary doctor or mental health May 2022
professionals about seeking counseling to talk about the feelings of depression and loneliness.
3. Get yourself out there. Whether you are taking a walk, working at the coffee shop or picking up a new hobby, getting yourself out and into the world and interacting with others can help relieve your depression. It’s important to understand that depression and loneliness often operate together to worsen a person’s mental health. Unless steps are taken to intervene and break the cycle, the depression could very easily intensify over time. Guarino, G. (2021, December 30). Depression and Loneliness: A Terrible Combination, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2022, May 16 from https://www.healthyplace.com/depr ession/symptoms/depression-andloneliness-a-terrible-combination
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Health and Wellness
Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 “You know when you’re in a bad dream and you’re trying to run, punch, kick, or scream, and your body just won’t move? You open your mouth and nothing comes out. You feel frozen or in slow motion, and no matter how hard you try to fight it, nothing changes. That’s how it feels to battle mental illness.” Evyenia This section looks at the stories submitted by two individuals on their mental health experiences. Anonymous shares about her ordeal with poor mental health and offers some advice on getting help when you need it. Hope Banda tells his story and shares about his newly launched book that will bring some hope for those dealing with mental illness and poor mental health.
Comments and feedback are welcome through essentialgrace@zoho.com
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My Journey with Depression By Anonymous I now believe depression runs in the family. Although we have never had the words to call it that. You see, growing up in Malawi, we look at depression as matenda a azungu, something that we don’t talk about or discuss. Even as I am writing this, I am so conscious that telling my story may impact me professionally, that’s why I choose to be anonymous. I remember watching my mom withdraw into herself when she had a miscarriage. We only discovered it later on that she had miscarried. But we never really knew at the time. She just stopped talking much and spent most of the time in her room. And when our father died, she would not eat and lost a lot of weight. She became a shell of herself and it was hard to watch such a strong woman disappear like that. Now to my story. I have always been the kind of person who ignores and doesn’t deal with issues. They always fester and build up, until they explode into, well something. We grew up in a home that was non-confrontational. We never talked about the things that bothered us. On top of that, I have always been that awkward, geeky person, the one who has never fit in and was often bullied and isolated. In 31 | E s s e n t i a l G r a c e M a g a z i n e
primary school I was usually the smallest, so I was never chosen to play – imagine being a bolera for all the games of fly. So, I am this awkward person who has never felt like they fit in. It has taken many years and therapy for me to acknowledge that I have depression and more recently to be clear that I have had anxiety most of my life. We are often taught to suck it up and stand up for ourselves and that even talking about mental health is being weak. So often we struggle alone, unable to name the things that we are feeling or to get the help that we need. I was depressed when my father died and we had a lot of financial difficulties. I was just new to employment and we were struggling a lot. The anxiety and worry that came with that situation was overwhelming. I remember taking another job for a small salary increase, but spending most of the day on the floor of my carpeted office with the door locked, crying or just lying there in a foetal position. I would go home and go through the motions of pretending to be fine. I was heavily involved in the community and ran around from activity to activity to escape. But I was not okay, and everyone took my word when I said I was fine even if they could see that I was not. I recall another instance of depression and suicidal thoughts when I lost my May 2022
job. I found a temporary position which paid a small salary. By this time, I had a child I was raising as a single parent. I distinctly remember standing by the roadside which goes downhill and waiting for a truck that I could throw myself in front of. But then, I would think of my baby, and wonder what would happen to him. So, I turned away. But that was not the only time I attempted to kill myself. I took pills when I was pregnant but did not die. My parents were disappointed when in fear I told them what I had done. My mother even took me to the hospital. My father called me a coward. No one asked me how I was feeling or what made me do it. The time after the suicide attempt is the loneliest that I have ever felt. More recently, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness. By this time, I had started to read enough to understand the importance of seeking mental health help. Watching my body change and struggling through it took its toll on my mind so I started seeing a psychologist. I was paralysed, thinking about the future, worrying about finances, wondering how my body will react as I took the medicine. So, I started talking to the psychologist yet the darkness continued to hover. For a long time, I would sit and stare into the distance, I would spend most of my
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time at home sleeping and just be overwhelmed. There were no words to say how I was feeling except to say that I was not feeling like myself. Finally, he recommended medication. I always looked at medication as something reserved for people who were hospitalised and certifiably ill, not for a normal person like me. Yet starting that medication changed everything for me. All of a sudden, I felt clear in my mind about what I needed to do, and was able to work on myself. I became social again, started communicating with people. It changed a lot of things for me. My final word is this, get help when you can and trust that your doctor or therapist is giving you the best help that you need. I never thought I would have the tools to identify the things that trigger my anxiety and depression, or to have the skills to cope with it. I am still a work in progress and some of the issues that I have to deal with like my health and finances have not gone away, but going to therapy has really helped me to have some strategies and ideas to improve my mental health.
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the abuse I've experienced, my parent’s divorce, relationship problems, and all the things that led to me struggling with suicidal thoughts. I have been following the trend of rising suicides in the country. It's been on the rise not only in Malawi, but internationally as well. When I noticed that a lot of people are taking their own lives, I reasoned that maybe it is because people do not know who to talk to and they can’t trust anyone with their issues.
My name is Hope Chawala Banda. I am based in Mzuzu right now but I am originally from Ntchisi. I'm a writer, a poet, and a spoken word artist. I started to write a long time ago while I was still in primary school. I am an alumnus of the African Bible College where I got a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication, class of 2021. As a writer, ‘I Burnt my Suicide Note’ is my second book. The first one is called Little Roar, Thirty Echoes which is a collection of poetry. Besides my writing, I provide public relations services through my newly registered public relations firm. I decided to write this book ‘I Burnt my Suicide Note’ to share my experience with mental health, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The book is based on a true story, and in it I explore themes around 34 | E s s e n t i a l G r a c e M a g a z i n e
I thought that although this book might not possess a monopoly of solutions, it might provide a little insight on the importance of talking to other people and getting counselling to address mental health issues, especially depression and suicide. Looking at the rise in suicide cases, I thought to myself that I can help somebody by sharing my own story. How I almost killed myself and, in the end, decided not to. Here we are, having a conversation on mental health that had I been successful in my suicide attempt, this wouldn’t be the case. So, the rise in suicides has been my inspiration to see if I can contribute in one way or another in preventing the next suicide. This book is a collection of stories as told by 41 different people from around the world. We have people from Malawi, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Lesotho, Sierra Leone May 2022
and the USA. These people have different approaches in the telling of their stories. Some are actual accounts as told from the person that has experienced this particular issue, while others are told as a secondary account on behalf of the person facing issues with depression, or suicidal thoughts, and even perhaps those that succeeded in taking their own lives. There are also some that have told stories in a way that seems to be fictitious yet they are a true narration of what someone went through. There is another group of writers who have given opinion articles., narratives, poetry, and short stories. The reader should expect encouragement, and a lot of hope. A lot of emphasis has been put on the possibility of reducing suicide and the possibility of reducing mental health problems. The reader should expect to be encouraged as they see that it's possible to deal with mental health issues and that sometimes it is okay not to be okay. The word mental health for me is the state of your mind. So when we just say mental health it could be either good or poor mental health. That word mental health carries both positive and negative connotations. So, when I say mental health, it's not like mental health automatically means mental health problems. It's a completely different concept.
suicidal thoughts. When your mental health is in shambles, nothing goes well. I usually like to say there's no health without mental health. So, if your mental health is weak, or you feel challenged, it affects everything in your life. It affects your physical health, affects the way you behave, the way you relate with people. For me, the mental health issues that I have had relate to my dysfunctional family background which has affected how I relate with people. Of course, I'm getting better now. But even in my romantic relationships, it has been hard because it negatively affects the way I relate as a partner. When you are dealing with loneliness, it is possible to pretend that everything is okay while still hurting inside. As a matter of fact, a lot of people that we see and talk to appear to be happy but when they are alone, they fight and fighting huge battles. That is what I have experienced because I for one, have been in that place. But why is that? I believe it is because in this world, not everyone can be trusted. It is not easy for you to be out and about talking to people about your issues. It's usually hard because you never know if what you are talking about will remain confidential. There is always the question of how people will react and what they may do with your private information. It becomes really difficult for people with
My experience with poor mental health is that I've had breakdowns, depression, and 35 | E s s e n t i a l G r a c e M a g a z i n e
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mental health problems to trust others enough to open up and share. I remember I once shared a story with a friend and after that they put up a social media status immediately after we had talked commenting on my issue. That is not a situation anyone wants to be in, and you would probably never tell that particular person anything ever again. People resort to shutting down and becoming isolated because they may fear being judged or they're going to be perceived as weak or incapable. This has been my personal experience. My advice to readers about loneliness would be that no matter how lonely you feel, always remember that you're not alone. A million other people around the world are going through what you're going through. I believe that as much as people cannot always be trusted, there is always someone that can talk, or keep one company. At the end of it all everything will be okay.
For more details on the book please contact: Pam Kudiwa (ABC TV) +277 217 888 40 Blessings Nyasulu
+265 993 507 270
@chawalall +265 993 285 092
chawala.banda@pm.me
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Resources
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow.” Mary Anne Radmacher
Don’t give up on yourself, your journey towards better mental health may not be an easy one, but it does not have to be a lonely one. Reach out to someone, talk to a friend, find a mental health professional to walk with you towards your goals. Whatever you do, don’t give up! Comments and feedback are welcome through essentialgrace@zoho.com
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May 2022
By now, we hope you are aware that you can
Chitipa District Hospital
access mental health care from all the Central
Karonga District Hospital
Hospitals in the country.
Mzimba District Hospital
Here is something to take note of, before you can get to the Central Hospitals, you need to first
visit your local District Hospital in order to be assisted. This applies to mental health care as well.
Once you have been assessed, the medical staff (a psychiatric nurse or clinician) will then determine whether you need to be referred to
the Central Hospital, which also provides comprehensive care for mental health challenges. Please take note of the list of District Hospitals
available in Malawi.
Nkhata Bay District Hospital Rumphi District Hospital
Dedza District Hospital Dowa District Hospital Kasungu District Hospital Mchinji District Hospital Nkhokota District Hospital Ntcheu District Hospital Ntchisi District Hospital Salima District Hospital
Balaka District Hospital Chikwawa District Hospital Chiradzulu District Hospital
Machinga District Hospital Mangochi District Hospital Mulanje District Hospital Would you like to advertise your mental health services with Essential Grace Magazine? Get in touch with us for your free offer of mental health related advertising be it for counselling services, support groups, books, upcoming events, and wellness services (e.g. Fitness, massage therapy)
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Mwanza District Hospital Nsanje District Hospital Phalombe District Hospital Thyolo District Hospital Zomba District Hospital
May 2022
In confidence, without obligation No long waiting lists for appointments Individuals, couples, and relationships
Need an Appointment? Call +265 0995 147 290 Let’s talk! 39 | E s s e n t i a l G r a c e M a g a z i n e
May 2022
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May 2022
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May 2022