eBusiness Weekly
Joseline Sithole
The Breaking News on a comedy channel that day was quite outrageous! The young comedian, with a straight face, asserted that it had been recently discovered that; “Everyone was mad or had some degree of madness”. Before all the psychiatrists and counsellors recoil in horror (and yes call me mad) kindly hear me out.
That young men went on to explain this great revelation by arguing that the only differentiating factors on madness; were the degree, and type of madness and place and the reasons why we got mad.(Food for thought indeed). Of course the statistics on the ground prove otherwise, though they are certainly a cause for concern.
In Zimbabwe, mental health statistics are quite staggering. According to a report entitled “Mental Health in Zimbabwe 2016” mental disorders make up 7,4 percent of disabilities in the country.
The report further notes that, 10 percent of the total population is grappling with various mental health issues. It is also worrisome to note that we are ranked 19th in the world in terms of the number of people who commit suicide. Unfortunately the country only has 13 psychiatrists to cater for the whole population. What is mental health? The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines, mental health as; “a state of well-being in which every individual realises his, her own potential and is able to cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to the community.”
As we commemorate World Mental Health Week which started on October 10, 2019, with a thematic thrust towards suicide, I would like to unpack some of the mental issues that our MSMEs face.
It is thus imperative to start a conversation around this somehow neglected area. Mental health-related illnesses cost low and middle income countries almost $900 billion in 2010, and are projected to cost over $2 trillion in 2030.
In the United Kingdom mental health costs amount to $26 billion every year according to the Business New Wales website. However, though we have a reasonable understanding of overall mental health statistics, there is a dire need to explore the magnitude of the problem within the MSME sector in Zimbabwe.
The few studies that were conducted in North America and some Asian countries, concluded that MSMEs regularly have to grapple with a plethora of mental health issues. It is also widely believed that entrepreneurs experience many mental health disorders more than the general population at large though there is little anecdotal evidence and research to support this.
Depression will be ranked as the second cause of burden of disease by 2020 according to the World Health Organisation. A report entitled “Promoting Mental Health in Small Enterprises” argues that “Mental Health Issues in MSMEs are particularly rampant as SMEs cannot afford to put into place, structures and wellness programmes that are found in larger organisations.
According to the HR Magazine, a survey conducted among 500 SMEs in the United Kingdom revealed that these businesses are facing burn out and are close to breaking point because of “an always on culture”. Currently mental health financial and business assistance programmes are restricted to improving sales and profit without looking at the deeper issues of quality of life and relationship.
The report goes on to say that SMEs “are their own worst enemies as they don’t like delegation”. MSMEs interviewed in Zimbabwe also alluded to the fact that they rarely rested and had little energy left to spend with their loved ones.
A big source of anxiety and depression among MSMEs was the failure to access and service bank loans. In turn, the fear of having property and other household goods repossessed could possibly lead to many entrepreneurs even contemplating suicide according to, Michael Pasimupindu, an entrepreneur based in Mutare.
“When you borrow and fail to service the respective loan you are also struck by sheer suicidal depression,” he said.
Caroline Sithole, who runs a kombi business in Penhalonga in Mutare, also said, sometimes failure of business strategies might cause stress and lead to anxiety and depression. A majority of the MSMEs were also afraid that their businesses might be liquidated which inevitably resulted in loss of income for their immediate and extended families.
Among women-led MSMEs, the added burden of performing chores at home after attending to their businesses was also seen as extra stress inducers.
Michael Freeman, a psychologist consultant at the University of California, points out that, 49 percent of entrepreneurs suffer from at least one form of mental health condition during their lifetimes.
Some of these disorders included; Attention Deficient Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Bipolar Disorder and addictive disorders. Start-up founders are twice likely to suffer from depression, three times more likely to suffer from substance abuse, 10 times more likely to suffer from ADHD, twice as likely to suffer from psychiatric hospitalisation and twice as likely to have suicidal thoughts. Inevitably this leads to poor productivity and employee engagement.
What are the solutions?
It is noteworthy to realise that discussions of Mental Health issues have now started at high profile gatherings such as the World Economic Forum. At Davos, issues of mental health in the workplace, were facilitated by Dr Paul Hockemer an expert in leite identity constructs (Uuuumh). Generally it was agreed that, there is a need to destigmatise mental health issues and pledge resources towards wellness programmes.
MSMEs should first realise that anyone can suffer and are prone to suffer from mental health disorders. As a result it is important to recognise some of the symptoms and seek help immediately.
Some sure signs that one is going through some mental challenges are; sleeplessness, palpitations withdrawal, overeating or not eating, erratic behaviour and others. There is a high connection between depression and suicide so it has to be dealt with as a matter of emergency.
“The Mind’s Guide to Mental Health for SMEs”, implores SMEs managers to regularly examine the workload for their employees and to regularly assess serve team dynamics and put into place the necessary interventions. It was also important to promote a healthy lifestyle and to offer flexible hours. SMEs should also partner with people in the mental industry to regularly provide support in the form of workshops. MSMEs also need to ensure that they spend quality time with their families.
Team building sessions are important in ensuring that there is team cohesion. Steven Johnson, from UC Berkeley advises business schools and incubator programmes to prioritise instruction on how to deal effectively with mental health issues among entrepreneurs.
According to E Freeman; “Everybody knows you have to be a little crazy to be an entrepreneur” but crazy does not mean death. Recognise the need to be honest and seek help when it is necessary. “DO NOT COMMIT SUICIDE”.
Joseline Sithole is a founder of Southern Africa Development Consultancy and is reachable on 0773634062.
In Zimbabwe, business development workshops among MSMEs should include sessions on Mental Health.
