The Windhoek Connection - 11 October 2022

Be kind to your mind.

When you fall from a height and hurt your arm, your doctor may take an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis of a broken bone. The arm will be wrapped in a cast for 6-8 weeks and pain medication will be prescribed to manage the pain. While a broken bone can be seen by others on the x-ray, naturally it is expected that you may experience pain, even if no one else can see this. And the pain medication prescribed and taken, are not subject to any judgement.

When you can no longer see a distance ahead, you may need to visit an optometrist to have your eyes tested for prescription glasses. In order to obtain the correct prescription, the optometrist will ask you an array of questions. The glasses are then made, based on the answers you provided to these questions. The distorted vision you have cannot be seen by anyone else and yet, no judgement is passed when wearing glasses

Windhoek Connection

Saying the words, “I have a mental illness” must be the most difficult words to say. A mental disorder is invisible to everyone else, and medication is prescribed based on an array of questions asked by a Psychiatrist - a Medical doctor having specialised in the field of psychiatry - and yet judgement is passed swiftly on a matter that others have no idea of. “Snap out of it” or “You have so much to be grateful for” are the two of the common responses.

We have thankfully moved on from an era where mental illness is portrayed as a crazed-looking person in a straight-jacket jumping around in a padded cell. The barriers on talking about it and the stigma on mental illness are being broken down with every conversation on the topic, every public discussion and every person sharing their story.

From 1864 to 1889 reasons for admission to the West Virginia Hospital for the Insane, included:

Asthma, Bad whiskey, Bite of a rattle snake, Carbuncle, Cold, Desertion by husband, Egotism, Epileptic fits, Fall from horse, False confinement, Fever, loss of law suit, Greediness, Grief, Gunshot wound, Ill treatment by husband, Indigestion, Marriage of son, Novel reading, Remorse, Smallpox, Sunstroke and many more (irrational) ones. Fortunately, we have learned a lot since then and these reasons were all dismissed.

Mental health is an integral part of our general health and well-being and is a basic human right. Having good mental health means we are able to better

Did you know…

…most people living with mental illness lead productive lives despite their challenges.

Diagnosed

consisted of 54.1%

global

45.9% men.

the same

was at USD129 million for mental disorders, with depression and anxiety raking the highest places (39% for depression and 22% Anxiety. The rest comprised of Schizophrenia (11.7%), Bipolar (6.5%), Autism (3.3%), eating disorders (2.2%) and others).

connection between suicide and mental illness

well

awareness is growing by the day.

On 28 September the US Embassy (Namibia) facilitated a virtual discussion on matters pertaining to Suicide in Namibia. The statistics listed in this discussion were hair raising.

According to statistics released by the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Namibia’s suicide rate between January 2021 and May 2022 stood at 679 (559 men and 91 women), and 29 children (18 boys and 11 girls). While the actual suicides of women was significantly lower than that of men, the attempted suicides for women was much higher than that for men.

Suicide affects people and their families from all countries and contexts, and all ages. Globally, there may be 20 suicide attempts to every one death, and yet suicide accounts for more than one in every 100 deaths.

In all countries, mental health conditions are highly prevalent. About one in eight people in the world live with a mental disorder. In both, males and females,

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anxiety and depressive disorders are the most common. Mental disorders are the leading cause of years lived with a disability; schizophrenia in particular is a primary concern: in its acute states it is most impairing of all health conditions. People with schizophrenia or other severe mental health conditions die on average 10 to 20 years earlier than the general population, often of preventable physical diseases. This alone should prove that mental well-being is directly linked to the physical health of a person.

While schizophrenia is the most costly mental disorder (per person), depressive and anxiety disorders are more prevalent and so majorly contribute to overall national costs, which are already heavily underfunded: On average, countries dedicate less than 2% of their health care budget to mental health. Namibia is not excluded from this.

Around half the world’s population lives in countries where there is just one psychiatrist to serve 200 000 (or more) people. Most people with diagnosed mental health conditions go untreated. Lack of treatment is partly due to underfunded health care, but also because of discrimination, the stigma associated

with mental illness and/or cultural beliefs. People will often suffer in silence, rather than risk the discrimination or ostracization that comes with accessing mental health services.

More and more companies are introducing corporate wellness policies, also

focusing on mental health, aiming at recognising and supporting every team member, offering support training to everyone (it is not only a leader’s job to take

care of an employee) and improving working environments by showing each employee the value they bring, preventing harassment and discrimination and implementing basic care for others.

The difference can be made with every person in your team: teach your employees, co-workers and teammates to be kind, show compassion and show empathy. Break the stigma.

What’s up? What’s up?

Catch the full listing of all upcoming events in and around Windhoek at windhoekconnection.com.na

Drumming Circle at Joe’s Beerhouse, Wednesday, 12 Oct · 6–7 PM Drumming at Joe’s Beerhouse: Every Wednesday 6-7pm. Brought to you by Ongoma Drum Café Namibia.

For adults and kids alike. Even for those who “don’t have rhythm”. Especially for those! ;-) Drums are provided. Fun is guaranteed. Entrance is free. Donations are welcome. (Suggested participation fee: N$ 50, kids N$ 20)

Portuguese Cooking Class, Wednesday, 12 Oct · 6 – 10 PM

Savour the flavours of Portugal in our Portuguese Cooking Class. Learn new techniques and explore the influences of Portuguese cuisine. This night we will embrace the spices and ingredients of typical Mediterranean cuisine which includes olive oil, onions, bay leaves, garlic, coriander, paprika, chilli peppers and red sweet peppers. We hope to see you there! Contact the Silver Spoon Hospitality Academy at 061 240 944 to book your spot

Song Night Sessions with Cherlien at FNCC!, Wednesday, 12 Oct · 7 – 10 PM Song Night Sessions is elated to present Cherlien for the fifth and final instalment for 2022 at FNCC!

Join us as we celebrate her voice and the space that Song Night Sessions has provided in this intimate concert for session music lovers.

Laughter Yoga!, Wednesday, 12 Oct · 6 – 7 PM

Come try out this extremely FUN way to de-stress, reconnect to your inner joy in nature and belly breathe your way to a smile, all in one go! Bollywood meets African drums plus crazy dance with meditation cool down and Yoga Nidra grounding... the place where you can be silly, be fun, feel free!

When: 12th October at 6pm

Where: Eagle's Beer Garden- pool grass area in Avis Fee: 1st session is free... thereafter N$100/session

How: register at https://tinyurl.com/laughing-yoga

See you there soon � - HO HO, HA HA, HEE HEE!

Poetry session: Poetry at first Sight, Thursday, 13 Oct · 7 – 10 PM Township Productions and Goethe-Institut Namibia will host the 5th Poetry Session under the theme: “Poetry at first Sight”. The theme will explore the relationship the poet has with poetry. How they are dealing with it, the happy times and the not so happy experiences. Poets are constantly in conflict with their writing and some poems just do not want to be tamed, written, recited or performed. During this Poetry Session, Poets will also celebrate poetry and each will be called upon to dedicate a poem to poetry.

Becoming Emotionally Debt Free, Friday, 14 Oct · 6 – 8 PM

Dagbreek Special School hereby invite your company for this once off exclusive staff development opportunity on the 14th of October from 18h00 to 20h00 at the Dagbreek Special School Hall: Becoming Emotionally Debt Free. You are welcome to WhatsApp your request to Marike at 081 775 1447.

"Change a life" Charity Fun Walk, Saturday, 15 Oct · 6 – 10 AM

Challenge your friends/family/co-workers to join you for a fun-filled and exciting walk/run. Groups are encouraged to dress in matching attire or according to a theme of their choice. 5km fun walk / 5 & 10 & 21km run / virtual events

Date: Saturday 15 October 2022 Time: first group starting at 06h00 Venue: Lady Pohamba private hospital P3 parking lot North building. Entry fee: Adults: N$100 for all distances

Children 3-12 years: N$50 for all distances Children < 3years: Free Entries at Lady Pohamba Private Hospital website.

Frühschoppen at Lemon Tree & The Vintner, Saturday, 15 Oct · 10 AM – 5 PM GREAT SPECIALS ON BEER & WINE!

When: 15 October 2022 (Saturday), Open From: 10h00 - 17h00 - FREE Entrance; TAKE AWAY food available; Live Band; Jumping Castle & Play Area for KIDS

Location Lemon Tree & The Vintner (C/O Robert Mugabe Avenue & Luther Street) info@muse-enterprises.com

Basic baking class, Saturday, 15 Oct · 9 AM – 2 PM

Want to get into baking but unsure where to start? Our easy bakes and top tips will have you making cakes and baking bread like a pro in no time... Let us guide you on your new journey. Ingredients and recipes included. Book your spot today at 061 240 944.

What’s up? What’s up?

Caprese Salad

Just about my favorite thing on earth. Thick slices of tomato and mozzarella, flavored with fresh basil leaves and olive oil. Simple, but oh so impressive.

Ingredients:

3 vine-ripe tomatoes, 1/4-inch thick slices

pound fresh mozzarella, 1/4-inch thick slices

to 30 leaves (about 1 bunch) fresh basil

Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Coarse salt and pepper

Method:

Layer alternating slices of tomatoes and mozzarella, adding a basil leaf between each, on a large, shallow platter. Drizzle the salad with extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Human Skeleton & Organs

Find and circle all of the skeletal parts and body organs that are hidden in the grid. The remaining letters spell a secret message.

Note: TARSALS and METATARSALS are hidden separately and do not overlap. The same goes for CARPALS and METACARPALS, and BLADDER and GALLBLADDER.

Solve it! Solve it!

Skeleton: - CARPALS - CLAVICLE - COCCYX - CRANIUM - FEMUR - FIBULA - HUMERUS - INNOMINATE - MANDIBLE - METACARPALS - METATARSALS

- PATELLA - PHALANGES - RADIUS - RIBS - SACRUM - SCAPULA - STERNUM - TARSALS - TIBIA - ULNA - VERTEBRA

Organs: - APPENDIX - BLADDER - BRAIN - GALLBLADDER - GENITALS - HEART - INTESTINES - KIDNEYS - LIVER - LUNGS PANCREAS

- SKIN - SPLEEN - STOMACH - VOICE BOX