Recently, individuals from various Christian denominations organised a march to voice their concerns and call on the government to reconsider the recognition of same-sex relationships and marriages.
The Evangelical Fellowship of Botswana spearheaded this march, joined by members of other churches. The event culminated in a gathering at the National Assembly, where a petition was presented to government. It’s important to note that the example here is not about whether the church's stance on this matter is right or wrong, as these issues often involve complex matters of human rights. Rather, it serves as a reminder that churches and other stakeholders should also come together to address the pressing issue of escalating murder cases, particularly those involving intimate partners as they too are an issue of human rights deserving of rigorous interventions.
Just last week, a local newspaper reported a tragic incident where a husband murdered his wife and then took his own life, leaving behind a disrespectful suicide note. This is a stark reminder of the need for individuals to seek help when they feel overwhelmed and unable to cope. There's a popular saying amongst Batswana that goes, 're imetswe' loosely translated as "we are carrying a heavy load" or can be interpreted as "having a hard time". While it's true that many Batswana indeed carry heavy burdens, it is essential to emphasise that one person's burden does not grant them the right to end another person's life. Counselling facilities are available in our country and while some come at a cost, there are free options as well. The challenge we face is that counselling has not been fully embraced in our way of life as Batswana. It's high time we recognise the importance of seeking help when needed. Deep dive to work on 'knowing thyself' to reflect, deal with, and heal from childhood traumas and develop self-awareness. We owe it to ourselves and those we say we love to bring our best selves, not our brokenness, into relationships only to lose ourselves in the complex world of relationships. In the journey of seeking deeper connection, some are looking for the one that will be the medicine to their unresolved pain, which unfortunately the outcome as evidenced every week can end tragically.
A relationship is not the cure to unhealed and undiagnosed wounds as an intimate partner can never be a healer of any part of an individual's unresolved issues whether known or unknown. However, Batswana need to understand that therapy is an option that doesn't only offer the space for mental wellbeing but is also a sign of a healthy individual choosing self-improvement toward self-evolution as we are evolving beings by nature. In this life, you are your own project, no one else is. There will come a point in everyone's life when counselling might be necessary. We all have unique ways of processing and dealing with distressing news, which is why taking care of our mental health is just as vital as our physical wellbeing. Some individuals struggle to handle rejection and respond with anger when faced with disagreement or rejection. Others accept it as a part of life. Self-awareness regarding one's mental health is crucial and it's possible to understand oneself better in this regard and not take things personally. This is a call to action for professionals, churches, and all stakeholders to come together and educate our society about mental health issues. Education and normalising therapy are key. Many lives could be saved if those in need were aware that help is available or if they only embrace the deep self-work. Let's unite in our efforts to end intimate partner violence and the rising number of suicide cases. All lives matter!
