MENTAL HEALTH IN AFRICA: MY STORY

It’s time to talk

Dear readers and followers, it is time to talk more seriously about mental health. Not only are statistics glaring of an increase in the number of patients and the failure of ‘society’ as a whole to tackle mental health issues, but ‘we’ the patients, are so scared of the stigma attached to our ‘diagnosis’, that we prefer to just shut up and ‘die’ out our own way!

l won’ talk about facts and statistics the world over or even only in Africa. No, l will speak from experience. Mine and what l observed, drawing from my brother’s and others’. l was therefore honored to receive an invitation by Trish over at Mentalhealthtalk, to do a guest post on this ‘salient and silent subject’. Kindly hop over to read the rest of that post with just one click right here: Sure, your comments will be highly appreciated.

Real facts and figures?

l don’t know how real those facts and figures are of if they apply to Africa. l only know what l have experienced as a ‘patient’ and a ‘caregiver’.

l want to be the change, l think the time is now:

Be the Change

Fortunately, we have a lot of resources online to help us in our research in finding ways to avoid or cope with mental illness. l thus found this info graphicsworth sharing:

And this one is even more descriptive of the ways we can help ourselves and others l hope:

Ways to wellbeing

 l envy all those organized social services out here and all the helplines at your disposal or the insurance you could take out to help with costs and all.

My personal relationships are changing from now on; and l remember a recent post l just did where l expressed my determination to bounce back into life firmer.

We too can make a difference in someone’s  life, after helping our own selves out of course!

Dear gentle readers and followers, let’s not relent our efforts to make our lives and our worlds a better place, or what says thou?

I am going to see my boys

I am so full of joy, I am still learning how to deal with my great emotions. Woah, after a year and a half, I am going to see my Boys.

I don't have much to say because many would never understand how a mother in her right senses can leave her children behind in the same 'shit' she was running away from. Suffice it to say l wasn't in my 'right senses' then.

My Boys and l  have all been through so much.The poor internet connections, high phone costs and much more, got us to often get in touch only once a week or less. Talk of motherhood across the ocean?

That aside, here is a video l did for a presentation in my school on global cultures. Have fun and know that for the next three weeks, I will crisscross as much of my beautiful motherland as possible. Of course, there is no doubt that my "3 mousquetaires" will be with me all through my stay home.

Hmm, l am taking them to at least one of the radio shows l am invited to, and maybe one of my TV Interviews too. The line up is pretty exciting for actually only two weeks with them, giving that 5 good days will be ... at some summit in Kigali.

http://youtu.be/CriUQQE731w

So, those weeks are all I have for now. However, someday, it shall surely be different. Anyway, as it currently stands, I am going HOME to see my BOYS and l even have some blogging awards to show them too!

Dear gentle readers and followers of mine, thank you in advance for the safe journey wishes and all. My Boys and I will sure do a post from home just for you!

Excited to announce Countdown deals for my book!

From my heart, through my pen, to these pages

Dear all, by Friday, you will know why l am excited not only to announce countdown deals for my book, but what lies planned for my vacation.

The deals are first of all two fold and each will run for a week. They are only for the kindle version although in due time, l will do another giveaway on goodreads for the paperback.

The first is on Amazon.com and it will run from June 25th to July 1st. The price will start of at 1.99$ for 48 hours, then it will rise to 2.99$ for the next 48 hours before running at 3.99$ until the deal ends.

On Amazon.co.uk, the countdown deal starts on June 27th to end on July 3rd. The race cheers up at 0.99£, then speeds up after 48 hours to 1.99£ for 2 more days, and then cools down back to 3.57£.

What truly is in that book?

You will be excited to find out!

The reviews say a lot although due to the nature of my story and my 'genes' maybe, several people who have read it are 'scared' of leaving a review on the amazon. l got two other reviews on goodreads but a few said some 'nasty' like l still have to 'surrender to my saviour and it must be sort of generational curse blaabla'.

Well, that's life and l know l was 'shameless' in writing all that thrilling stuff without being scared of "what people would say"? Does it really matter anyway? Who really cares? How do l know? So life goes on!

In the mean time, lets see how it goes, this week may hopefully be my last week of faithful blogging up till August - stay tuned to find out why come Friday. Happy reading!

It is gratitude in another form, go get inspired and motivated, cause l don't think l can ever say thank you enough.

Thank you very much

QUINTET OF RADIANCE AWARD

Oh my, on this 17th of November 2013, I sensationally started my blogging life with wordpress. Wow, as if to celebrate my efforts, contributions and all, I get not one but 5 awards – isn’t that something to blog about?

See them for yourself then read on:

Quintet of Radiance award

I was dazed when I got a notification from my blogging pal

“VISHAL BHEEROO on his blog: Scripting the story of life”

Ok, now there is a little ‘fun work’ to do in claiming the award but who wouldn’t do that for a Quintet of radiance award?

RULES:

1. Display the logo in a post.

2. Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back-Ananya

3. Using the alphabet, describe yourself in a word or phrase.

4. Nominate few Bloggers.

Simple rules for me hahaha

Dear Vishal, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have never received a blogging award before:

Now, next to the heroine who started this quintet of radiance trail; the beautiful, dynamic and passionate Ananya and her tales. Check her out for yourselves lest I do her less justice by missing out something. Just one or two things now, please don’t forget to:

Vote for her on Facebook for Mrs India Washington and discover the amazing bundle of talent that she is. Follow the following links to vote for her:

https://www.facebook.com/RavishingWomenShow/photos/a.303465479815920.1073741843.146743222154814/303465853149216/?type=1&theater

http://www.ananyatales.com/2014/05/beauty-pageant-details.html

Ok then, back to my nominations: I got five

1) Vidiya the Smile Collector at http://vidyasury.com/

2) Lidiya the Success and happiness Cheerleader at http://letsreachsuccess.com/

3) Michelle and her babbling books at http://www.writer-in-transit.co.za/

4) June my Jamaican heroine at http://www.miraculousladies.com/

5) last but not the list is Timi my sister from another mother at http://livelytwist.wordpress.com/

I hope they accept the award and are glad too.

Now to retro myself using the alphabet -hmm, let’s see what it gives: 

  A as in Ayo my nickname of choice, an exclamation, means joy in some dialect

B as in Bold yes I could face the D….

C as in Curious, I know they say it killed the cat but am no cat

D as in daring – sure I dare to Dare

E as in exercise- it keeps both my physical and emotional weight in sound balance

F as in fighter, an aunt has always called me one

G ad in good, I can’t think of evaluating myself any less

H as in Happy yes I make that choice to be even in the midst of …

I as in insecure do have those moments too

J as in jokes, do love me them, some say am a clown

K as in Karate, one thing I missed learning – could have come in handy I think

L as in Love, hmm I can love unconditionally and unconventionally – just read my book

M as in Merry Marie- thinking seriously about making it a brand

N as in No – not scared of using that word and meaning it

O as in open minded to both critics, schools of thought, people and all

P as in people, I know I have to choose who I hang out with for here below we have + and – people

Q as in quiet – sometimes I can be so quiet you won’t believe it’s me

R as in rustic – yes you can’t tell all this woman knows, my reviews tells what some think

S as in strong – I know without being told that if l weren’t strong, l would have vanished by now

T as in Thank you – I love saying it and meaning it

U as in Universal – I believe that the universal principle of Do unto others what you would want others do unto you, supersedes all religion

V values – I have them many but henceforth, honesty tops my chart

W as in wife, I tried to be one and failed woefully – aiming again though :)

X as in x-ray, I perform one on me every now and then

Y as in yes, am almost done, and yes I can if I set out to

Z as in zzzzzzzzzzz when it’s bed time, I switch off like a log

Dear Gentle readers and followers of mine, hope you join me in celebrating this award by commenting and sharing!

l SURVIVED: MY 1st AtoZ Challenge memory lane

Today, I not only reflect on the #atoz challenge 2014, but I tap myself as a proud survivor.

I remember trying to back out twice. I really felt intimidated by all the blogs I browsed, the team and the preparations and all.

My first pretext was, surely blogging each day is not my routine and am still struggling to build my niche. So I wrote the organizers and asked to be crossed out. They asked for my blog number which I couldn't find anymore. I had created a new blog all together so that if I balled out during the challenge, nobody would notice, care or comment.

Mid March, oh no not even a single post schedule. Woman are you crazy? That nagging voice mocked, get out, get lost and save face before it is too late. I decided to do otherwise, I wrote like crazy and in 3 days I had 26 posts scheduled. I kept them short and simple and my theme helped. I had played safe by hanging on to random thoughts of mine. Hahaha

D Day I lashed out loud with a post on Adultery and I was like be ready for the hammer. But no, I got support, empathy, hugs and all. And so I went through up on to my T post - THANK YOU! This was my climax, for me it was my finals before the finals. That Thank you meant so much. And as if #Lee felt it just like when I once commented on his blog about my failed suicide attempt, he commented on that post.

Just tell me what more a newbee and wannabee like myself could dream of other than a comment from #Lee, and others from #Michelle, #J.L. Campbell, #Vidiya and her smiles and all the others too.

I visited lots of blogs on random subjects ranging from dogs, tradition, education, religion, society and hmm, I loved #Michelle's babbling books and the smiles #Vidiya collected.

I made some blogging friends too from as far as India like my pal #Vishal, and got hooked to #J.L. Campbell's books where after distraction, I learning how not to get Mad but better get Even.

Should I reveal my theme for next year now: oh no let me not spoil the fun. I stop for now while thanking all the wonderful team, mignons and all and wishing us all the best!

Yours sincerely, Marie a proud:

T as in ...

Thank you

I mean, were I to finish this #AtoZ Challenge without expressing my gratitude with a post, then that would be so mean I think or don't you? (I know there are 6 more days to go hahaha)

There are those 3 or so little words I have personally come to confirm that people are so scare to use. You know them I am sure and they are Please, Sorry and Thank You.

Yet, using those words really don't harm or reduce anything of our might, height and weight or so I think.

Using those words for me, increase our sense of worthiness, our esteem, our ego, our humaneness or so I think.

I use it even with kids because they deserve it too and men that's how they learn best or so I think.

I use it with my pals too and even with those who feel they have that superiority complex which keeps them at the expecting end and gives them the 'right' not to use the word.

I want to Thank Arlee Bird and the dynamic team of hosts, mignons and all for this opportunity to find my own little corner on this 'Mighty' Platform.

I want to thank all those who have ventured onto this blog or who just scroll through it in their reader. Oh I dare not forget those who left a comment or two somewhere and on whose pretty blogs l have also been able to hop to and leave a hopefully nice little comment.

Snapshots Of A Life: Ten Things Of Thankful 3/28/14

Snapshots Of A Life: Ten Things Of Thankful 3/28/14: 1) I am thankful that, although we had snow again this week, it barely amounted to anything, and melted almost as soon as it hit the gro...



Yes, in life there is lots to be thankful for and I love Terasa's gratitude even for the most simple of stuffs. It's up to us I guess to be thankful or not for the snow and all but life to me is much more cool, simple and worth living with more positive instead of negative thoughts