24/08/2026
As Africans, we cannot deny the fact that our first understanding of what mental health was, came from adults pointing from afar that "a mad person" was passing by.
It came with threats that they would call the mad person in the area, if we refused to do something.We learned about mental struggles from a place of fear and ridicule instead of compassion. But now here we are as adults struggling with the very things we were taught weren't accepted in society. Yet society didn't hand us the manual of how to take care of ourselves mentally.
We still use mental health as an insult then turn around to pick bottles of alcohol to cope with the stresses of life as if the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) doesn't have "Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders" listed among mental disorders.
But I'm not here to talk about the DSM.
Let's look at this picture instead. This is the mental health continuum model. Before we scream God forbid or look at mental health as a family curse, let us take the time to understand that mental health isn't a permanent switch - it is a spectrum we move across every single day.
If you look closely at the chart, it is divided into four stages. It might just be the manual we were never given to help us understand where we actually stand:
🟩 HEALTHY (Green): This is where we want to be. It’s normal fluctuations in mood, taking things in stride, keeping a good sense of humor, and drinking only in moderation. The manual here is simple: nurture your support systems.
🟨 REACTING (Yellow): This is where life starts catching up to us. It looks like nervousness, irritability, procrastination, low energy, trouble sleeping, and starting to drink regularly or in binges to manage stress. The chart says this is our cue to recognize our limits and take breaks.
🟧 INJURED (Orange): This is where the cracks really start to show. It’s pervasive sadness, hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, regularly missing deadlines, or actively avoiding people. It’s also where the use of alcohol becomes hard to control. The manual tells us to tune into these signs and ask for help before withdrawing completely.
🟥 ILL (Red): This is the stage our parents used to point at from afar, but it doesn't happen overnight. It’s excessive anxiety, panic attacks, being easily enraged, suicidal thoughts, or full addiction. This isn't a family curse; it is a state of severe illness that requires professional care.
We don't just sit in one box forever. We slide back and forth depending on how we handle the weights we carry. From Green to Yellow, you still have the ability to practice self care but the moment we go beyond yellow, please do not shun professional support.
Take a look at the chart. Where do you honestly find yourself standing today?
