BREAKING THE ICE: MENTAL HEALTH THE SILENT KILLER

May 13 2022 was no ordinary day, one of Uganda’s leading newspapers flashed on its front pages a headline “14 million Ugandans have mental disorders”, the headline cast a shadow across the day, its words heavy with sorrow and disbelief. The news item stood as a stark reminder that even in a world bustling with life, there were moments that could plunge everything into a cold, unforgiving darkness.

Ink-black and red letters etched against a stark white background, the words seemed to weigh down the air itself, the headline echoed with the somber toll of a funeral bell. The story beneath told of lives that would be cut short, dreams that would be shuttered and community left reeling in shock.

The details in the news item emerged like a mosaic of pain, the air filled with a palpable sense of grief that seemed to transcend the confines of the words. According to the article written by Cecilia Okoth for the New Vision Newspaper, 35 out of every Uganda may be battling with a mental health problem. One senior ministry of health official retorted “If each of the 14 million people interacts with atleast two other individuals, then almost the entire population (42 million) Ugandans are affected by mental health directly or indirectly.” 

In the end, the news item left a lingering ache in the heart. It was a reminder of the fragility of life, the unpredictability of fate, and the way tragedy could shatter the ordinary in an instant. It was a story that would fade from headlines, but its impact would remain, a scar etched into the collective memory, a reminder to hold tight to sanity and cherish the joy of a sound mind. 

Sometime in August 2012, in a dimly lit room, Joan (not real name) was trapped in some sort of chaos, a sense of heaviness hung in the air like a fog that refused to lift. Her once vibrant eyes now dulled, sat huddled on the edge of her bed. Shadows danced across the walls, mirroring the turmoil within her mind. The silence was broken only by the faint ticking of a clock, a constant reminder of the passage of time she wished would stand still.

Her parents house in Namasuba, Entebbe had many rooms and her room stood at the very end of the walkaway, what was once a sanctuary of comfort, now felt like a prison. The sunlight struggled to penetrate through the curtains, casting an eerie half-light that failed to warm her spirit. Her tangled hair framed her face like a veil, concealing the battles that raged within me. The lines on her face told stories of sleepless nights and tear-stained cheeks. Her trembling fingers traced invisible patterns on the bed she was seated on, two things made sense that day, the light in the room and her old childhood picture that hang around in the room, the rest was a storm that brewed within – a chaotic and fragmented, a maze of thoughts that led nowhere.

Joan had attempted to stare at her reflection in the old mirror that stood at the corner of the room, the reflections she saw were as though she was staring at a stranger. All she could see where hollow eyes staring back at her, a reflection of the emptiness that had taken root in her soul. She longed for escape, for release from the grip of her own mind, but the chains of her thoughts bound her tight.

Outside, the world continued its rhythm, unaware of the tempest that raged within her. Birds chirped, cars passed by, and laughter echoed from afar. But these sounds were distant and muffled, like a symphony she couldn't quite grasp. Her isolation was not only physical but emotional, a chasm between her and the life she once knew.

It was clear that she needed a memory of connection amidst this turbulence in thoughts, perhaps the embrace of her brother Peter or the soft-spoken words of her grandmother Goretti or better still the genuine smile that had once graced her elder Peace’s lips. Her heartbeat in her chest was scary, she was staring at a killer, the silent killer that mental health is.

Diagnosed with bipolar disorder - a mental disorder characterized by periods of depression and periods of abnormally elevated mood that each last from days to weeks. She was troubled. This series of the ice breaker unearths some of the challenges that individuals with mental disorders experience.

GOD WANTS YOU TO WORK

“And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Genesis 2:15 (KJV)

The Greek word used for “dress” in this theme scripture is the word pronounced ‘aw-bad' which means to work, serve or to labour. Long before man would figure out why he was on earth, God has designed a system of work. In the bible are numerous examples of men and women who understood and exemplified hard work. These biblical characters serve as inspiring examples of hard work, faithfulness, and dedication in their respective callings and circumstances. Take a look!

Elisha’s Farm Enterprise

Elijah found Elisha plowing in the field when the two prophets of old met, Elisha was very busy working when God placed the call of service upon him[1]. Elisha seemed to be running a busy farming enterprise. He was busy overseeing twelve men who were plowing with twelve yoke of oxen and he himself was plowing with the twelfth pair! God calls busy, engaged and hardworking folks, not lazy people.

Noah’s ark

Noah arguably had one of the hardest jobs, he had to build an unprecedented boat, his family was only a handful, the world was in opposition to him, he definitely had no volunteers on this job, but he built one of the greatest architectural marvels of his time, so big that an elephant couple, two whales, and hippopotamus duo would fit in comfortably, the ark was estimated to be 137 meters, its breadth or width, 23 meters and height 14 meters[2], this massive wooden vessel took him years to construct, some scientists argue that building such a structure would pose several engineering challenges and highly implausible considering the technology and resources available during Noah's time, but with God all things are possible.

David a master of all trades

King David was a jack of all trades and a master of all, he was a multi-talented. He was firstly a skilled shepherd who tended to his father's flock, a talented musician and poet, known for playing the harp and composing Psalms, warrior who demonstrated exceptional courage and military prowess in his encounters with enemies such as Goliath, King of Israel with strong leadership abilities and spiritual leader whose strong faith and devotion to God played a significant role in his life. He is often referred to as a man after God's own heart. He was a hard worker, so should you be. His legacy has left a profound impact on religious and historical narratives, making him one of the most renowned figures in biblical history.

Further to these, Old Testament leader, Nehemiah played a crucial role in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after they had been destroyed. He faced opposition and challenges but persevered with hard work and determination, rallying the people to complete the task, The apostle Paul's tireless efforts in spreading the Gospel across different regions demonstrate his hard work and dedication to his calling, Bezalel and Oholiab, the skilled craftsmen chosen by God to lead the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings. Their hard work and craftsmanship played a crucial role in creating a place of worship for the Israelites.

Do you have a burning desire to be used by God in any capacity? Then ask yourself if you are willing to work hard to accomplish God's Kingdom agenda. God uses hard working people, not slothful people.

THE WILDEBEEST MIGRATION, HUNGRY CROCODILES AND TEAM DYNAMICS.

 “Cross the river in a crowd and the crocodile won't eat you.”

This an old west African proverb that idealizes teamwork, emphasizing how people can accomplish greater things collectively rather than as individuals. In this proverb, the crocodile typifies any challenge or obstacle that people may face, and the river represents the pathway to overcoming those obstacles.

One of the greatest demonstrations of teamwork happens in the animal kingdom, somewhere in Serengeti in Tanzania at the annual wildebeest migration.

Every year over 1.5 million wildebeest, some 800,000 zebras, elands, and Thomson’s gazelles trek over 800 kilometers clockwise in a circle through from southern Serengeti to the Masai Mara in search of greener, mineral rich pastures and water. This search for greener pastures does not come without danger, as the herds enter the Masai Mara they are met by more than their fair share of lethal predators, the big cats and as they blindly jump from riverbank ledges and into the river waters, they are met with over 3000 crocodiles lurking in the murky waters of the Mara River. The spectacular river is filled with drama, death, and endeavor.

As the throngs of wildebeests gather on ledges above the river, they organize themselves, each animal vying for a position that gives the safest and surest path to the opposite river- bank, in an apparent display of teamwork. The few animals that rush toward the water are the herd leaders, with thousands following close behind. The crocodiles too start to move toward the slower and smaller wildebeests, surprisingly when the crocodiles interrupt the river crossing, the crossing herds are put in a disarray, the wildebeests scatter, in the commotion, the Mara River in its unrelenting ferocity, does so much in ending the lives of the younger calves that are simply too tired and inexperienced to survive the gantlet. In equal measure the hungry crocodiles at the smell of blood and meat, frantically start tearing at each other’s catch, in the chaos that ensues, the strongest and most determined herd reach the other side while some become history thanks to the crocodiles’ snapping jaws.

This is typical of a previously functional team becoming dysfunctional. Have you ever seen a team fall apart because of bickering, infighting, or a failure of accountability? Not only is it frustrating to watch, it's also incredibly disheartening. Many years ago, I was part of a church where everyone was baying for each other’s blood, the pastor was not in talking terms to the treasurer, the deacons would often gossip one against the other, the women leader wanted to control the church, striving and gossip were a common thing, the mess was evident, soon we discovered what David meant in Psalms 23: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters” that sheep cannot drink unless the waters are calm, the  membership started dwindling, finances were going south, I presume even the church mouse at that time would not hang around the church premise anymore.

In his book, “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team”, Patrick Lencioni examines why effective teams are rare and provides specific recommendations for eliminating barriers that lead to dysfunctional teams. Lencioni's work outlines the causes of team dysfunctionality as an absence of trust, a fear of conflict, a lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results.

Absence of trust where team members are unwilling to admit their mistakes, weaknesses, or need for help, fear of conflict such that the teams lacking trust are incapable of engaging about key issues thereby creating team conflicts, lack of commitment where it is difficult for team members to commit to decisions, fostering an environment where ambiguity prevails, avoidance of accountability arising from the need to avoid interpersonal discomfort and inattention to results where team members naturally tend to put their own needs (such as ego and recognition) ahead of the collective goals of the team.

As a leader what are you going to do about this conundrum?

DON'T GIVE UP!

 Andrew Carnegie’s story is arguably the greatest “rags to riches” tale of all time, the story of 18th century American steel magnate Andrew Carnegie’s ascendancy begins on November 25, 1835, in a small one roomed home in Dunfermline, Scotland. Born into a family of destitute laborers, Carnegie received little schooling before his family emigrated to America in 1848. Arriving in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the 13-year-old soon got a job as a bobbin boy in a cotton factory, earning a mere $1.20 (less than 5,000 Uganda shillings) per week.

Carnegie went on to labor as a messenger boy and then a factory worker before eventually getting a job as a secretary and telegraph operator at the Pennsylvania Railroad. By 1859, the enterprising young worker had become superintendent of the railroad’s western division. Carnegie invested his newfound wealth in a variety of businesses including a bridgework company, a telegraph operation and most famously, a steel mill.

By the turn of the century, his Carnegie Steel Company had blossomed into an industrial empire, he later sold the steel company to financier J.P. Morgan for $480 million in 1901, making him one of the richest individuals of his time. The deal was instrumental in the creation of U.S. Steel, which became the first billion-dollar corporation.

After his retirement from the steel industry, Carnegie dedicated himself to philanthropy. He funded the establishment of numerous public libraries, educational institutions, and charitable organizations, leaving a lasting impact on society even after his death on August 11, 1919. Carnegie spent his later years donating his fortune to charitable causes, eventually giving away some $350 million.

I first heard about Andrew Carnegie and his revolutionary leadership credentials in Dale Carnegie's “How to win friends & influence people”.

How did Carnegie progress from working 12 hours a day, six days a week, for $4.80 a month to reigning as the preeminent figure in American industry?

At the turn of the 18th century, in the United States, poverty was a significant issue affecting a substantial portion of the population. During this time, the country was undergoing industrialization and rapid urbanization, which brought about both economic growth and social challenges. Poverty rates were as high as 25%, particularly in urban areas, where most of the population was concentrated. Many individuals and families struggled to meet their basic needs and faced harsh living conditions. Industrialization led to the growth of factories and the rise of the working class. However, wages were often low, and working conditions were often harsh and unsafe. Many workers faced long hours, limited job security, and inadequate compensation. This resulted in a significant portion of the population living in poverty or near the poverty line.

Andrew Carnegie's journey from poverty to immense wealth is an inspiration to generations. Poverty can sometimes be an incentive for hard work and pursuit for success.

But how would a poor emigrant boy become the world’s richest man? What kind of breakthrough is this? 

One thing he had in his mind, was not to give up, it doesn't matter what you are going through, the bottom line is that giving up should not be an option.