Скачать или смотреть How does mental wellbeing connect to physical health in Sub-Saharan Africa? - Community voices

Ageing often brings uncertainty and worries. Many people in rural Malawi suffer from anxiety and depression, most of them women.

Mental health is an important factor in one’s general well-being, and can have a substantial economic impact. This also applies to rural Malawi. Recent research shows that mental stress is very common. Since 2012, the research collaboration analyses and complements the long-term health data recorded in Malawi since 1998.

This is the first study of its kind. It has identified social factors that influence mental health and non-communicable diseases, and has proven that physical and mental health are closely interrelated. When people are depressed, for example, they often do not eat enough, which makes their problems worse. Research findings show that depression and anxiety are widespread, and that important gender differences must be taken into consideration. The Malawian government can now address the causes of these problems more specifically in its pursuit of good health and well-being.

This videoclip was produced as part of the r4d programme Digital Storytellers synthesis project. Its contents were filmed and selected by James Mwera, Invest in Knowledge Initiative IWI, Malawi, and Iliana Kohler, University of Pennsylvania. The digital storytelling process was accompanied and supported by Paitití Lab.

Credits: A film by James Mwera and Iliana Kohler / Edited by Andre Dedeco / Produced by Sonja Schenkel, Paitití Lab

Creative Commons License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

r4d programme, 2020, www.r4d.ch, www.k4d.ch