The Sudan Revolution and Mental Health

It’s been almost two weeks since the Transitional Military Council (TMC) and Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) have agreed to establish a joint 11-member military-civilian sovereign council that will rule the country by rotation for a period of at least three years and three months. After that, the country would hold democratic elections in 2022.

The signing of the agreement has been met with both celebration and objection. However, many agree the agreement brings a much-needed grace period after eight months of ongoing protests, casualties and uncertainty. With many protesters in Sudan and the diaspora having witnessed several atrocities such as brutal beatings, rape and even death during the revolution, a grace period to reflect on mental health in Sudan is necessary.

500 Words Magazine speaks to 33-year-old Sudanese-British therapist, Iman Ibrahim, on the impact of the Sudanese revolution on the state of mental health of people in Sudan and within the Sudanese diaspora.

A graduate of psychology at Ahfad University for Women (AUW), Iman is a therapist, specialising in women’s issues, integrative cognitive behaviour and rational emotive behaviour with mindfulness. She is currently a homeless resettlement and support worker based in the United Kingdom. In addition, Iman is the founder of the Sudan Psychology Initiative Network Abroad (SPINA), which she established during the Sudan revolution as a platform for client-centred support, bringing together professionals, activists and volunteers to support the mental health care infrastructure in Sudan.

1. As therapist, what are some of your observations on the impact of the Sudan revolution on people’s mental health?

For instance, depression and anxiety are two sides of one coin, and the ‘unknown’ element of the Sudan revolution has exacerbated their symptoms. The majority of those who contacted me for support and advice were in regards to panic attacks, lack of sleep, mind blockage, lack of motivation, and even nervousness – which are all within the norm to be honest.

2. Prior to the Sudan revolution, mental disorders were prevalent in Sudan due to the country’s dire, ongoing economic and political crisis – and of course, lack of mental health services and healthcare, in general. How do you think the revolution has changed or contributed to the state of mental health in Sudan? Has it improved or worsened the mental state of people in Sudan?

I believe the revolution has shed the light on mental health in general and in Sudan in particular. By this, I refer to the mental health support tent that was present at the military headquarters, and the mobile mental health clinic alike. In particular, I was impressed by a very active set of psychology graduates from various universities in the capital, setting up the ‘Mental Health Professionals Gathering’. They have delivered Mental Health First Aid for front liners and revolutionaries. They also liaised with other mental health professionals and marched a few times in demand for the improvement of mental health services, its implementation and delivery; in addition to providing the staff with the space to do so.

3. What are the first steps one should take if he or she is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or any other form of anxiety or stress disorder?

First step to PTSD self-care is to recognise your triggers, whether they are sounds, smells, places, or may be a certain time of the day. One should assure himself or herself that those symptoms will subside by time. One should not be be judgmental towards himself or herself or give a particular time frame to ‘get over it’. You need to give trauma to take its time to heal. Once you are ready to talk, do talk to a professional as perhaps telling a friend or a family member first, then a professional, may exacerbate the symptoms.

Look after yourself physically as you may not feel like eating, or getting out of bed in the first place. People often want to numb the PTSD symptoms by resorting to maladaptive mechanisms such as taking medication, drugs, alcohol and so on. The sooner you seek support is the best really.

4. For protesters who’ve witnessed or experienced trauma, how do you advise them to deal with trauma?

Seek mental health support immediately. Mental health professionals are liaising together on the same platform in order to cover more grounds. For instance, Ahfad Trauma Centre is the lead in dealing with trauma. Be open to treatment as individuals are susceptible differently to trauma. Talking therapies for that reason may not be enough to treat trauma, and medication may be needed. If you have a diagnosis already of a mental health disorder, you are advised to seek support even quicker.

5. Many within the diaspora have been diligently following the revolution on social media and of course, through their screens, have witnessed the atrocities committed on protesters in Sudan. As a result, many have said they have been experiencing emotional and psychological exhaustion. How do you suggest social media users avoid or deal with that?

Just read the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) posts, and do not follow the negativity that is circulating social media such as passing judgement and making assumptions. Focus on positivity such as looking at your abilities and capabilities, and how you can contribute to rebuilding the foundations of Sudan after it becomes a civil rule later. That can drive you from the edge of emotional and psychological exhaustion to productivity. I advice not to interact in provocative messages and bullying interactions with people as this will just aimlessly aggravate you.

6. Tell us more about your initiative, Sudan Psychology Initiative Network Abroad (SPINA). What inspired its establishment and how has it contributed to the Sudan revolution?

The project’s idea emerged after the massacre on 3 June 2019, when I noticed that the Sudanese in the diaspora established various mental health initiatives to support the revolution. I further noticed the duplications in their support. With the lack of a healthcare infrastructure in Sudan, let alone a mental health system, there is a wide gap in healthcare services. With those duplications from the diaspora efforts, this gap will undoubtedly become wider. For that reason, I established the Sudan Psychology Initiative Network Abroad (SPINA), a platform for client-centred support where all the professionals, activists, and volunteers willing to dedicate their time, knowledge and experience to uplift the mental health hurdle in Sudan. This will be achieved by professionals in the diaspora showcasing their available support whether through social media or when they travel to Sudan, by delivering trainings and therapeutic guidance for mental health professionals in Sudan, and undoubtedly, for the public. To make it more robust, a membership form is being finalised, where all the Sudanese professionals complete it worldwide, and then specialism within the field, availability, and topics to fill the gap in the service in Sudan and can then be grouped to provide talks, trainings, workshops, etc. Meanwhile, a list of the attendees will be finalised in Sudan. This is all inclusive where all the professions within the psychology field become the tools that build the infrastructure in Sudan. We need to be mindful that the path to a civil government is not a straight line and as a result, the support of mental health professionals will be ongoing; and here is where SPINA is a must.

For more information on SPINA or to become a member, email spina.sudan@gmail.com or check out their Facebook group, SPINA.