Lesotho is counted among many African countries where mental health is not prioritized. The sad part about this fact is that people either suffer in silence or resort to suicide.
People are ashamed of opening up about their trauma since there aren’t many resources about mental health disorders. Worried that deaths and depression rates continue to escalate in Lesotho, husband and wife ‘Mamehaulo and Tumelo Lejakane decided to start a Facebook Talk Show On Mental Health called I Conquered.
Mental Health is a very important yet least talked about aspect of our life. For this reason, the husband and wife duo use their talk show to help patients with mental health disorders. Tag-teaming with them is presenter Lipuo Teboho whose role is to interview guests on the show.
In this talk show, people who have survived mental health illnesses are invited to speak about their dark journey with mental health disorders such as psychosis, bipolar, PSTD and many more. The primary reason for bringing survivors to the show is to inspire those suffering in silence to get help and start talking about their trauma instead of resorting to suicide.
The show is not just about the darkness of mental illnesses. The husband and wife duo report that they work with Mr. Tsotang Letsie who gives his psychological perspective on mental health. Once a guest has completely elaborated on his or her journey in front of the cameras, Mr. Tsotang’s task is to give recommendations from a psychological point of view.
The recommendations include tips on how to maintain control in case the guest is exposed to his mental illness triggers. In addition, Mr. Tsotang reinforces the idea of channeling one’s focus to getting better instead of staying stuck in the depression brought by mental disorders.
The founding duo explains that their biggest aim is to eradicate the stigma around mental disorders in Lesotho. They believe that the show will show people that it is possible to rise above the trauma that brings mental health disorders. They would also love to see patients conquer their illness one day.
In their opinion, mental health is very important but is neglected because people pretend to be fine even though they are far from it. In their exact words, “We encourage people to speak out and our message to patients is that they are not alone. Do not be ashamed to seek guidance when you feel you cannot take it anymore.”
The biggest lesson Mrs. Lejakane has learnt is that it is okay to not be okay. What matters is what we do when we are not okay. She explains that people do not have to try to be strong when things fall apart because the things that affect our mental health ultimately affect our physical health.
If you want to be featured on the incredible show or simply want to be inspired by the stories of survivors of mental health disorders, visit the ‘I CONQUERED’ Facebook page. The page has encouragement for patients of mental health disorders as well as differences between depression and anxiety.
It is imperative to learn about mental health instead of shying away from the topic altogether. To the patients of mental health, you are not alone!
You can catch-up with their first episode here: