Dr. Seble Hailu: Empowering Minds

Dr. Seble is perhaps best known for her radio segment, “አንድ ጥያቄ አለኝ” (I Have A Question), where anonymous individuals seek guidance on personal struggles and mental health issues. Dr. Seble will then offer advice on how to handle these challenges. She views the program as a preventative measure that addresses mental health issues before they become severe. 

What Causes Mental Illness?

Dr. Seble says that there is no single cause for mental illness. However, some people are more vulnerable than others. This may include people with a history of mental illness in their family. Factors like economic status and pregnancy also contribute to vulnerability. In Ethiopia, broader issues like the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing conflict, and economic hardships have led to increased rates of mental illness, especially among the youth.

Vulnerabilities of the Youth

Both globally and locally, young people are increasingly vulnerable to mental health issues, with depression and stress becoming common concerns. Dr. Seble points to the growing competitiveness of the economy and lack of economic prospects as key factors contributing to the prevalence of mental health issues among young people. The rise in harmful coping mechanisms, such as drug use, has also led to higher suicide rates within this demographic.

Increasing globalization and interconnectedness means that young people constantly compare themselves to others. "The mid-life crisis is happening earlier for young people," says Dr. Seble. Social media significantly impacts this phenomenon, creating a negative cycle where isolated individuals turn to social media to pass the time, leading to further isolation. Additionally, it exposes children and adolescents to harmful content and activities that may sabotage their lives.

Addressing social media addiction, or any other addiction, begins with understanding the why. In other words, what that person is gaining through their addiction. “Addiction is a wrong way of meeting the right needs,” Dr. Seble says. So, social media addiction stems from a need to connect with others. Treating social media addiction then comes down to finding alternative and healthier ways to connect with others. 

Impact of Unemployment

“Unemployment has a strong correlation with mental health,” says Dr. Seble. In underdeveloped countries like Ethiopia, fulfilling basic needs is still a struggle for many. The youth particularly faces severe challenges when it comes to this. Unemployment and underemployment thus play a significant role in the mental well-being of the youth. For instance, unemployment leads to idleness which leads to a higher chance of addiction. Frustrations caused by a lack of job opportunities are also known for increasing stress and anxiety.

Entrepreneurship and Mental Health

However, mental health issues aren’t only caused by a state of lack. In other words, material well-being isn’t a guarantee of mental well-being, A good example of this is entrepreneurs. Despite addressing their lack of employment by creating opportunities for themselves and others, entrepreneurs are not immune to mental health struggles. Dr. Seble references a recent research paper indicating that approximately 70% of entrepreneurs experience mental health challenges, which she attributes to the demands of the entrepreneurial lifestyle.

Entrepreneurs experience stress when the reality of their circumstances doesn’t keep pace with their ambition and drive. Operating in an ecosystem that isn’t business-friendly also causes frustration. Additionally, past experiences such as rejection or extreme poverty can cause trauma for entrepreneurs. They may also struggle with depression due to fluctuating periods of high productivity and subsequent crashes.

In the effort to build and maintain their business, entrepreneurs often become isolated from social interactions. This imbalance between work and personal life can severely affect their mental health. Consequently, some entrepreneurs may turn to harmful ways of coping.

Another significant challenge for entrepreneurs' mental health is burnout. "Burnout is mental exhaustion," explains Dr. Seble. Those experiencing burnout often feel irritable and tired, and their overall health may suffer. Entrepreneurs are particularly susceptible to burnout due to their tendency to prioritize work over personal life, leading to a poor work-life balance. Burnout can spiral into more severe mental health issues such as depression.

Avoiding burnout comes down to making small adjustments in life, Dr. Seble says. Starting with maintaining a consistent diet and sleep schedule is crucial for restoring energy. Entrepreneurs should also practice self-awareness, paying attention to emotional signs like irritability and assessing their relationships to gauge if they are becoming strained. These signs indicate when a break is necessary.

Entrepreneurs must prioritize their mental well-being because it not only affects them personally but also impacts those who work with or for them. "A person's challenges aren't theirs alone; they also affect their environment, family, and coworkers," Dr. Seble notes.

Gender as a factor

Gender roles significantly influence vulnerability to mental health issues, often more so than gender identity itself. Dr. Seble highlights societal expectations placed on men. As an example. "Men are pressured to quickly become breadwinners and achieve financial success," she explains. Another harmful societal norm affecting men's mental health is the expectation of emotional stoicism. Men often lack safe spaces to openly express their feelings, leading to pressure to suppress emotions and "man up" through challenges. This societal pressure to prove masculinity can deter men from seeking necessary mental health treatment, posing significant barriers to their well-being.

Men's reluctance to show vulnerability often manifests as anger, as it is the only emotion socially accepted for men to express. This can lead men to channel other emotions like sadness through anger, which doesn't accurately reflect true masculinity. Dr. Seble emphasizes that embracing masculinity starts with acknowledging our shared humanity. Men, like everyone else, experience emotions such as sadness, fear, and mental struggles. True masculinity should not deny these human experiences.

According to Dr. Seble, society needs to redefine masculinity to include the acknowledgment of these emotions. The current unhealthy expectations placed on men must evolve to support their emotional well-being.

Spirituality and Mental Health

Dr. Seble draws a distinction between religion and spirituality. “Spirituality is more broad, while religion has to do with performing rituals,” she says. She adds that religiosity by itself doesn’t imply spirituality. In some cases, it might even stunt them. But she acknowledges that spirituality and mental well-being are interlinked, While this doesn’t guarantee immunity from mental illness, spiritual activities like meditation and prayer play a significant role in calming our minds, she says.

Dr. Seble cautions against adopting harmful beliefs in the name of spirituality. Cults are a good example of this, and the disastrous actions cult followers take point to the risks of harmful beliefs causing mental damage.

When is the right time to seek help?

“The right time is the time you recognize you have a problem,” Dr. Seble says. But people rarely recognize that fact. Here our loved ones and people in our environment play a crucial role. They know when something about us is unusual, and we must pay attention to the advice they give us. They might recognize a problem we don’t. But, before all this, we must focus on preventative measures, Dr. Seble argues. “We shouldn’t wait until we lose our balance,” she adds. We must therefore focus on leading a balanced life.