An Autoethnographic Exploration of Depression in Africa

Authors: Botchway CAN*

DOI: 10.23880/pprij-16000332

Volume 8, Issue 2

Abstract

While most mental health issues in Africa are viewed as a curse or a form of spiritual attack, and people who suffer from them get discriminated against, depression is somehow viewed as a “luxury sickness”. It is viewed as a sickness for the wealthy or those in the developed world to pamper themselves into doing nothing. It is assumed to be nonexistent in many parts of Africa because it is believed that such situations can easily be mitigated with spiritual help. This autoethnographic study of the lived experience of employment termination that led to depression is used to explore how people in Africa live through, understand, and overcome the phenomenon with limited knowledge and clinical psychological services.

Keywords: Africa; Depression; Lived Experience; Autoethnography; Mindset; Mental Disorder; Termination and Psychology

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