Mental health is a growing concern among individuals especially at this time when the world is still battling the covid19 pandemic.The covid-19 pandemic has claimed numerous lives and many have lost their sources of income. Mental health can be defined as the cognitive, behavioral and emotional well being of an individual.
Uganda is among the top six countries in Africa with people suffering from depression disorders according to the American Psychological Association report.
Mental health enthusiast, psychologist and Pharmacist Abbey Kafumbe, while appearing on RX Radio’s Brunch Talk show with Olive Najjuma said that human beings undergo mental health challenges throughout their life.
However, he noted that the affected people can be subjected to different coping mechanisms such as religion, music, pets, sports or other dopamine boosters such as alcohol and drugs.
Kafumbe warned that some coping mechanisms like alcohol and drug addiction subject one to harmful consequences hence disrupting brain receptors. He however advised that a person can increase their dopamine levels from nature such as the sunrise/ sunset and music.
Dopamine is a neural transmitter that causes brain cells to relax, feel pleasure and motivation.This is passed from nerve cells to other cells within the body.
Referring to a course study named Greenline conversations, the psychologist revealed that this specifies the green part of the brain into seven cards and the red part into seven.
The green part, being one that aids in taking careful rational decisions while the red part is the defensive and reacts in attack to a potential enemy.
“If you learn these things, you'll have the best results out of friendships, relationships, business and life at a personal level. There will be less tension within your relationships, place of work and even to you as an individual.” he assured
He added that the first three green cards are for clarity while the rest are for commitment.
Agree to there
“If we start up a business, our aim is to make the business a successful one,” he said.
Agree to here
“We need to agree that we are here, how much do we have in terms of money and experience? Can we do this thing? Do we have the endurance?” he emphasized.
Agree to next steps
“Since we agreed to the there and here, what are the next steps to take us to the next level? Do we need to borrow money? Hire some other people? Do we need a better location?” he added.
Inquire
This is a part of the four cards about commitment. Find out whether you are still on the same page as earlier planned. Do you have any new ideas? Is there any negative feedback about the business that you fear to share?
Hear
“Keep quiet and listen, Most times people hear but they don't listen.”
Acknowledge
“After listening, acknowledge what the other person had to say without interfering with them as they speak,” Kafumbe added.
Straight Talk
“After you've heard something that might be negative about me and you keep it to yourself, it will catch up with you. So you have to express it in an honest way that is not intended to hurt the other person but to convey a message in the rightful manner,” he explained.
The red cards are a reversal of the green cards which cause fights or flight such as failing to acknowledge the other person’s concern even if it doesn't make sense to you. Not listening and imposing your solution. “Don’t impose your solution, you may suggest one but don't impose because the other person may have done it and it may not have worked,” he said.
The fourth red card is asking leading conversations aimed at shutting out people.You should make use of open ended questions on this.
The fifth is failing to acknowledge the ‘there’ in the first place because if one doesn't clarify the 'there' at first they end up clashing.
The sixth red card is making wrong assumptions without getting full knowledge. People in this case base on what they already know and often avoid honest feedback.
He added that the green cards usually apply at workplaces but work only if they are further communicated to a person in the least position in the company. These are also a lead to success in all other relationships if practiced by all parties involved.
Brunch Talk is hosted by Olive Najjuma Monica every Saturday from Midday to 1pm on RX Radio.
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