Financial Strains and Social Pressures Impacting Mental Resilience in Malawi, Expert Warns

Sister Agness Jonas, a mental health counsellor, has highlighted financial hardships and societal pressures as significant factors undermining mental resilience among Malawians.

She warned that if these issues are not addressed, they could hinder societal development by reducing productivity, destabilizing families, and eroding the social fabric.

Sister Jonas shared these concerns during a three-day mental health and safeguarding workshop in Thyolo, organized by the African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC).

ASEC Country Director, Sister Hilaria Chombo, explained that the workshop aimed to empower sisters to address mental health challenges and assist Malawi in confronting issues related to mental health.

Supported financially by Lifenet International, the event brought together 51 participants from 14 congregations spanning all eight Catholic dioceses in Malawi.