Mental health underplayed in public discourse
THE DEATH of Jabulani Tsambo, better known to millions of his fans as HipHop Pantsula, calls on all of us to pause and reflect on the toll that mental illness takes on society.
Tsambo was open about his battles with depression and anxiety, telling radio personality Gareth Cliff how he had survived three suicide attempts in 2015.
Just the mere fact that Tsambo could talk about his battles with mental illness was unprecedented in a country – and especially in the black community – where any mention of mental illness is often spoken of in hushed tones.
Tsambo was given the platform to talk about his illness, and seek treatment, but spare a thought for the millions of South Africans who are often condemned, because of poverty, when they show signs of mental illness.
While in the next few days the media will reminisce over the King of Motswako Rap, and his hits are played on radio stations, his death should serve as a catalyst for us to start a conversation about the state of mental healthcare in South Africa.
The poor still don’t have access to adequate psychological services, which are still, for the most part, located in the large urban centres.
Gauteng accounts for only a quarter of South Africa’s population, but more than 50% of the country’s psychologists work and live in the province.
In South Africa, gender-based violence and poverty are some of the factors which lead to depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse and self-harm.
With an economy shedding jobs, the public health service should be better equipped to deal with mental health issues plaguing South Africans; but go to any public facility, and the likelihood is that you’ll find not much priority given to a ticking time bomb.
HHP should be celebrated, not just for his music, but also for his courage, and his death should serve as a wake-up call to a health issue which, for the most part, has been underplayed in our public discourse.
The mere fact that Tsambo could talk about his battles with mental illness was unprecedented