By Boris Esono Nwenfor
In communities affected by prolonged crisis, the scars are not always visible. While damaged homes, disrupted schools, and economic hardship often dominate discussions about recovery, the psychological toll carried by individuals and families can remain hidden. For Dr Elisabeth Nkem, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and founder of the Holistic Wellness Group (HWG), addressing these invisible wounds is just as important as treating physical illness.
Dr Nkem was among the health professionals supporting the LECUDO-USA Medical Campaign in Fontem, Lebialem Division, where the Holistic Wellness Group contributed to mental health awareness, screening, and education. The campaign, organised by the Lebang Cultural and Development Organisation (LECUDO-USA) in collaboration with Mary Health of Africa Hospital and partners, brought medical teams together to offer free health services to inhabitants in Lebialem Division.
For Dr Nkem, integrating mental health services into medical outreach programs is essential. “Mental health matters just as much as physical health,” she told Pan African Visions during the campaign. “Healing must involve both the body and the mind, treating the whole person.”
The Importance of Mental Health
Many inhabitants who attend community medical campaigns often come seeking help for physical conditions, eye problems, and infections. Yet beneath these visible ailments, Dr Nkem says many patients are also dealing with emotional pain that goes unaddressed.
“People come for physical treatment, but many are also experiencing stress, trauma, grief, and emotional distress,” she explains. “Mental health services help us treat the whole person.”
For this reason, the Holistic Wellness Group made mental health screening and awareness a key component of its participation in the campaign. “Mental health is not a luxury, it is a necessity,” Dr Nkem emphasises. “And mental health is not a destination; it is a journey.”
She encourages communities to become intentional about protecting their emotional well-being, noting that awareness and early support can prevent more severe mental health crises.
The Psychological Impact of Prolonged Crisis
Lebialem Division, like many parts of the North West and South West regions of Cameroon, has experienced years of instability linked to the Anglophone crisis. The effects of the conflict have extended beyond physical destruction, leaving deep psychological wounds within communities. “Crisis may damage communities physically, but it also leaves deep psychological wounds,” Dr Nkem says.
Families living through prolonged insecurity often face multiple layers of stress. Displacement, financial hardship, disrupted livelihoods, and uncertainty about the future all contribute to emotional strain.
Such circumstances can lead to a range of psychological effects, including anxiety, depression, fear, sleep disturbances, and general emotional distress. “Behind many smiles are silent struggles,” Dr Nkem notes, pointing out that many individuals endure mental health challenges quietly due to stigma or lack of access to professional support.
During the campaign, mental health screenings revealed several common challenges among patients. These include anxiety disorders, depression, trauma-related stress, sleep problems, emotional withdrawal, and feelings of hopelessness.
For many inhabitants, these struggles are linked to the cumulative impact of years of uncertainty and loss. Some have lost family members, homes, or livelihoods. Others continue to live with the daily stress of rebuilding their lives.
Despite these challenges, mental health remains a topic that many people hesitate to discuss openly. Dr Nkem believes this silence often prevents individuals from seeking the help they need.
Why Mental Health Checkups Matter
One of the core messages Dr Nkem shared with communities during the campaign is that mental health should be monitored just like physical health. “People regularly check their blood pressure or blood sugar, but they rarely check on their emotional well-being,” she says.
Early recognition of mental health concerns can prevent problems from escalating into more serious crises. “Early help prevents crisis,” she explains. Dr Nkem encourages people to become more attentive to their mental health and to seek support when needed rather than waiting until symptoms become overwhelming.
Part of the awareness campaign involves educating communities on how to recognise signs that someone may be struggling mentally. These warning signs can include persistent sadness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, difficulty sleeping, excessive worry, withdrawal from friends and family, and feelings of hopelessness.
“When your thoughts begin to control your life, it is time to talk to someone,” Dr Nkem advises, emphasizes that seeking professional help is not a sign of weakness but a step toward healing.
Changing Community Attitudes
Stigma surrounding mental illness remains one of the biggest barriers to accessing mental health care in many communities. In some cases, individuals experiencing psychological distress may fear being judged, misunderstood, or labelled negatively.
Dr Nkem believes changing these attitudes is critical to improving mental health outcomes. “Mental illness is a health condition, and healing is a journey, not a destination,” she says.
Encouraging open conversations about mental health can help communities better understand these challenges and create supportive environments where people feel comfortable seeking help.
Children are among the most vulnerable when communities experience prolonged crises. Disruptions to education, displacement from familiar environments, and exposure to instability can significantly affect their emotional development. “Children cannot learn well when they do not feel safe,” Dr Nkem says.
Anxiety, fear, loss of confidence, and difficulty concentrating are some of the psychological effects children may experience in such environments. Supporting children’s mental health, she explains, requires creating safe spaces where they can express their feelings and regain a sense of stability.
Helping Children Cope
Parents and teachers play a crucial role in helping children navigate emotional challenges. Dr Nkem encourages caregivers to create supportive environments where children feel heard and understood. “Sometimes the most powerful support for a child is simply listening,” she says.
Maintaining routines, encouraging open communication, and offering reassurance can help children rebuild confidence and resilience. “Mental health matters,” she says. She encourages individuals experiencing emotional difficulties to speak up, seek help, and support one another. “Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
Dr Nkem believes long-term improvements in mental health care will require sustained investment. This includes increasing awareness about mental health, training more mental health professionals, and establishing community-based support programs. “Mental health care should be accessible to everyone, no matter where they live,” she says.
*Culled from April Edition of PAV Magazine
