I Speak Of My Recovery Out Loud

The Silent Struggle

Silence nearly killed me. As a Father, Fiancé, Brother, Son, Employee, Employer, Lawyer, Business Development Manager, Start up Enterpreneur and friend. I was one for talking a lot but saying very little, not sharing how I truly felt and sincerely thought about my own pain, guilt, shame, mental ill health. Addiction cut across all those roles, responsibilities and titles. Even as a recovering addict, I was not always this open with my struggles and my thoughts just like many of my fellow addicts, I also chose silence.

It is not for me to make anyone speak about their personal struggles or victories however few and far between. I chose to open up about 5 months ago without risk of fear or favor because I know the profound impact my addiction and mental health struggles had on me and those around me, especially whenever I chose to stay SILENT.

Pretense

Many functional addicts maintain a facade of normalcy at work while silently battling their demons. Despite company policies encouraging openness, fear of losing one’s job or not being taken seriously often prevails.

Breaking the Culture of Silence

The workplace culture of silence must be shattered. Employees and leaders alike must feel empowered to share their vulnerabilities without fear of retribution. Mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and addiction can severely impact professionals, especially in high-stress careers. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health disorders in Africa are on the rise, with depression and anxiety disorders being the most common.

Personal Experience: The Power of Speaking Up

At my last job, I took a chance and communicated to my CEO and COO about a challenging week I felt I was about to have at the time due to my father’s death anniversary. Their support made me feel seen, heard, and respected, leading to one of my most productive weeks in 20 years. The CEO sent me a prayer. The COO stepped into my office and asked me to share about my father, who he was, and his accomplishments. Both gestures were healing and empowering, making me respect those two leaders today more than most I know. At Mwangaza Wa Sunday, we promote sharing lived experiences, discussing challenges, and helping people finding solutions together.

Encouraging Open Conversations

It’s time to move beyond token policies and create environments where lived experiences are valued. Practical solutions include promoting therapy and counseling, incorporating wellness programs, offering psychometric testing, and creating open spaces for employees to share their stories. Why can’t we all aspire to become like my ex -CEO and ex -COO?

Promoting Well-Being

Spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical well-being are crucial for overall health. Books like “The Gifts of Imperfection” and “Daring Greatly” by Brené Brown emphasize the importance of vulnerability and balance in mental health.

Call to Action

Employers and employees must take mental health seriously & proactively. Let’s create supportive workplaces that encourage genuine conversations. By sharing our stories, we can prevent others from hitting rock bottom. Companies should hire psychologists, encourage psychological assessments and maintain utmost confidence and anonymity. Psycho-social education, especially when life is going well, is key to building empathy and knowledge on mental health and addiction knowledge, will be very helpful when confronted with a colleague, family member or friend struggling.

Visit our resources page to learn more about our addiction recovery and mental health support, especially if you are a functioning or recovering addict, a caregiver, person with disabilities or employer. At Mwangaza Wa Sunday, we share lived experiences and encourage people to seek professional help from licensed psychiatrists, psychologists and addiction specialists that we are also happy to recommend. Together, we can build a compassionate community that values and supports mental well-being and addiction recovery.

Such a journey must not be taken solo or in silence, rather together and in friendly, empathetic and empowering conversations and relationships.

Work-Related Mental Health Statistics in Africa and Globally

• According to WHO, mental health disorders are responsible for 10% of the total disease burden in Sub-Saharan Africa.

• SADAG reports that 1 in 6 South Africans suffer from anxiety, depression, or substance use disorders.

• A study in the African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine found that work-related stress significantly contributes to mental health issues among professionals in Nigeria, with high levels reported among healthcare workers and educators.

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression and anxiety cost the global economy an estimated $1 trillion per year in lost productivity.

• The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that 83% of US workers suffer from work-related stress, with 25% of them citing their job as the number one stressor in their lives.

• The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) indicates that professionals in high-stress jobs, such as healthcare workers, lawyers, and finance professionals, are more likely to experience substance abuse issues as a coping mechanism.

Conclusion

Let’s challenge ourselves to foster environments where mental health is prioritized and open communication is encouraged. By doing so, we can support each other in overcoming life’s challenges and thriving both personally and professionally.