adminDr Mazvita Machinga
AS Zimbabweans, we join the 16 days of international campaign against gender based violence ( GBV) . Gender based violence no matter what form it takes, is a mental health emergency, a public health issue and should never be condoned.
It shatters lives of millions of women, men, and children in Zimbabwe and worldwide. It destroys families and communities and thousands have lost lives. Individuals who have suffered violence experience predictable psychological and emotional harm.
As a mental health professional and as a Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy in Mutare, we join Zimbabweans in the campaign against gender based violence.
The damaging effects caused by violence go far beyond physical, furthering into mental health, social and spiritual. Individuals are left in need of comprehensive care against all odds, overcoming challenges such as depression, post- traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, suicidal ideation, fear, shame, stigmatisation, substance and alcohol abuse.
Statistics show that women and girls are the primary targets of gender based violence, but men and boys can be victims too. This means that anyone who encounters GBV needs help.
Gender based violence leaves psychological and emotional scars that are often not attended to. As what one individual noted in a counselling session, “I lost the will to live. All I wanted to do was die. I lost my job and I ended up taking drugs, anything to make the pain and memories go away was all I needed.” Psychological and emotional pain often last longer than physical injuries.
Long after the dangerous moments are past, survivors relive the events as though it were continually recurring in the present. They find it hard to resume normal course of their lives, for the trauma repeatedly interrupts. It is as if time stops at the moments of the violence. Furthermore, survivors are often stigmatized and humiliated in their families and communities.
In many cases victims may feel forced to keep silent and endure further assaults to guarantee family’s survival.
Most survivors of gender based violence suffer acute stress disorder, general anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder needing psychotherapy. Survivors alternate between feeling numb and reliving the traumatizing events.
Effects can lead to complicated and sometimes alterations of consciousness, concentration and thought processes. Gender based violence also affects the children who witness such violence day in and day out.
As a psychotherapist, I call upon all Zimbabweans to unite and end gender based violence through reporting violence to authorities. When someone is experiencing gender based violence, it is important to get help, refer them for medical care and psychotherapy. Where survivors are still exposed to their aggressors, protective measures must be put in place.
Where the possibility to prosecute perpetrators exists, survivors should have access to legal support. The fundamental stages of recovery are receiving medical examination, psychotherapy and sometimes psychiatric care. Establishing safety, reconstructing the traumatizing story and restoring the connection between survivor, self and a loving community are also very important stages of recovery.
Mental Health Care and Co-ordinated Response
Survivors need psychotherapy to deal with traumatic memories, flashbacks and traumatic nightmares during sleep.
Victims relive the moment of trauma not only in their thoughts and dreams but also in their day to day actions.
This can be very devastating and compromises quality of life. The first objectives when offering psychotherapy is helping survivors restore their ability to carry on with their lives and deal with any dysfunctional predispositions.
Secondly, counselling helps them stabilize their symptoms and adapt positive coping skills. Timely counselling prevents the development of post-traumatic stress disorder at a later stage.
We have to find a balance between treating and preventing symptoms and at the same time helping the survivor deal with some very practical problems that arise from being a victim of gender based violence.
A truly comprehensive response to the plight of survivors that is provided by a range of different actors yields meaningful outcomes.
A coordinated approach between service providers such as medical, legal, social and mental health support can best bring relief to those who experience gender based violence.
So, please let us fight this serious and damaging societal ill together. Do your part by adding a voice against gender based violence.
Dr. Mazvita Machinga Ph.D. is a qualified Psychotherapist in Mutare who offers professional counseling and psychotherapy. For information on trauma counseling and other mental health issues contact [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>, or call 0771 754 519.
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