Social media a reflection of the emotional, mental state of most Zimbabweans

AURRA KAWANZARUWA

October 10 marked World Mental Health Day under the theme “Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World”.

Zimbabweans at the height of the hyperinflation era, were dubbed some of the most depressed people in the world.

There wasn’t much research to back it up but most people who were on the ground might be inclined to agree.

Fast forward to the panic caused by what was perceived to be the ghost of inflation past this week, social media has served as a reflection of the emotional and mental state of most Zimbabweans.

With 70 percent of the country’s population being below the age of 35, and a with a majority of those being on social media, this year’s World Mental Health Day theme bears significant weight in Zimbabwe.

A research paper done by the University of Zimbabwe Medical School and published by BMJ Clinical Research, broke down the complex face of depression in the country.

“In Zimbabwe, multiple somatic complaints such as headaches and fatigue are the most common presentations of depression. On inquiry, however, most patients freely admit to cognitive and emotional symptoms. Many somatic symptoms, especially those related to the heart and the head, are cultural metaphors for fear or grief.

Symptoms of depression include classic psychological symptoms, such as low mood, loss of interest, poor concentration, and associated anxiety, and somatic symptoms, such as changes in appetite, lack of energy, sleep disturbance, and general aches and pains.]

“Most depressed individuals attribute their symptoms to “thinking too much” (kufungisisa), to a supernatural cause, and to social stressors. Our data confirm the view that although depression in developing countries often presents with somatic symptoms, most patients do not attribute their symptoms to a somatic illness and cannot be said to have “pure” somatisation. This means that it is vital to understand the culture specific terminology used by patients and to assess mood in those with multiple somatic complaints.” To break this down, the research suggests that our traditional cultures have no means of defining and treating mental illnesses like depression and anxiety.

If you are a young black Zimbabwean, it is within the realm of possibility that your ‘elders’ have either scoffed at or brushed off the term ‘depression’, and sought to quell your distress by offering solutions that are not very helpful.

Unfortunately, depression and anxiety is real. They manifest in young people in their 20s suffering from blood pressure issues (like myself), and more young people dying from taking their own lives.

The weekend of the 6th of October saw Zimbabweans triggered into a panic as a result of the announcement of the 2 percent tax per dollar transaction and the re-introduction of Foreign Currency Accounts (FCAs).

Fuel queues garnished the roads and trolleys full of ‘hoarded’ groceries crammed the isles of supermarkets. Screenshots of companies’ status updates that they are closing down (some included the word ‘indefinitely’) circulated online, only driving the fear further into our psyche.

Young people (almost every one actually) took to Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp to share and discuss their frustrations around the new economic developments. An early response to the FCAs from a Facebook user said,

“Why is everyone focused on this 2 percent? I’m not worried. It’s cool do what you have to… My issue is this splitting RTGS and so-called actual USD accounts… I opened my bank accounts with cash and it says USD why split them? What money is in my account now?!”There is general confusion around what the implications of having Nostro FCAs and RTGS FCAs.

In a statement on Wednesday, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube said: “Government recognises concerns surrounding RTGS deposits, and we commit to preserve the value of these balances on the current rate of exchange of 1 to 1, in order to protect the people’s savings.”

On the two percent tax, which has caused a massive outcry across the market, the Vice President said in a press conference on Tuesday that the tax is yet to be effected.

Said Vice President Mohadi: “Cabinet has been briefed and discussed the effects of the two cents on the dollar tax on the market. We have also been briefed about the exemptions and government is now seized with the fine-tuning of a Statutory Instrument that will operationalise the tax. The two cents on the dollar tax is not yet operational. So there is no need to panic.”

This has done little to ease the anxiety currently plaguing Zimbabwe’s citizens. Business Times took to social media to ask for people’s opinion on the current economic situation in Zimbabwe. The responses below are from nationals who fit in the demographic of 35 and below:

Taku Mundenga: The only way for the current administration to earn public trust is by listening to the voice of the people and the voice of the people is saying, remove the bond note.

Den Taps: It’s not fair to say Ncube must go, for now, but he can do all of a favour by coming out, and in no uncertain terms, reverse the decision to separate RTGS and FCAaccounts. He should leave what Mangudya had set which was working.

Ali Phiri: I think the incumbent have shown signs of losing control of the ship it’s sinking how does the captain take control of the screening occupier’s.

Kevin Matutu: We just need the USD as the interim currency. Especially a few weeks before the busiest period of the year arrives. We can plan for a better solution after this period. If we don’t – we’ll have another 12 months of hell.

Shalom Govero: The chaos that has ensued in country is because we have seen something similar before. So any warnings/pep talk by the government is not going to work. People have seen things go bad so they don’t want a repeat. We would appreciate the authorities to refrain from threatening messages because they are dealing with a volatile and hurt people.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Back to top button