Senele Mdluli: Political Unrest, Mass Trauma and Mental Health in Swaziland

<p>In the height of a pandemic, while many were still mourning lives lost to COVID19, political unrest ensued in Swaziland. Armed forces brutalized and killed dozens of emaSwati who were calling for political reforms and even some who were bystanders. The tremendous impact of such traumatic events on the mental health of all affected has been a subject of discussion on social media. We speak to Swazi psychologist, Senele Mdluli on how to navigate mental health concerns as the struggle towards a new democratic dispensation continues. Senele is the co-director of Kushamiri Consulting; a woman-owned human capital and wellness consultancy. She holds a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology and has worked as a lecturer in the Psychology department at the Eswatini Medical Christian University. Through her private practice, she provides psychotherapeutic services to individuals, couples, and groups.</p>

<p>Highlights</p>

<p>Þ Senele speaks candidly on how she has been impacted personally by the recent events, particularly secondary traumatization as a result of patients’ grief and trauma from both the COVID19 pandemic as well as the political unrest.</p>

<p>Þ Senele cautions against being quick to label normal human responses to trauma as mental disorders and gives guidance on what symptoms are a cause for concern.</p>

<p>Þ Senele explains the ways in which we are broadly affected by the political unrest; directly or indirectly, as well as vicariously through constant exposure via social media. She expands on the factors that contribute to the differing responses people will have to the trauma.</p>

<p>Þ On remedies, Senele emphasizes normalizing certain human reactions and educating people on when to seek help. She calls for the creation of support systems in light of the limited access to mental health services in eSwatini.</p>

<p>Þ Asked how we can be effective support systems, Senele advises caregivers to be present, supportive, and listening, and encourages awareness of the state of their own mental health to prevent burnout.</p>

<p>Þ Senele further calls for advocacy towards strengthening professional mental health support for frontline workers and urges those around them to continue to be supportive.</p>

<p>Þ Senele offers her perspective on how the perpetrators of the violence get desensitized to the humanity of their victims to justify the killings.</p>

<p>Þ Finally, Senele cautions on the dire consequences of not addressing the traumas Swazis have recently been subjected to.</p>

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<p>Connect with Senele on:</p>

<p>Facebook</p>

<p>https://www.facebook.com/senele.mdluli</p>

<p>Twitter</p>