The pressure of being an artist or public figure especially in Africa becomes geometrically progressive as the days unfold. There’s no doubt that mental health is highly neglected in Africa, and as such, the importance of psychologists is overlooked by most people.
Just a few months ago, Australian rapper Iggy Azalea urged most Record labels to employ psychologist/therapists to support and enable artists perform Weller. There’s no doubt that most artists go into depression because of public backlash and pressure mounted on them either for the dislike of their art.
Mental health in Africa garners less attention, because people carless about what most public figures, go through behind the scenes.
In a year like this, where an artist like Magasco has faced nothing but a terrible year, you might want take into consideration what he goes through sometimes when he’s alone. From puting in massive work, to being snubbed by almost all award shows, to losing business deals and recently his relationship crashing.
He’s currently in #Dubai, a much needed vacation everyone in his coat should have. But imagine all these was happening to someone who couldn’t even afford a trip? In as much as the pain never goes away and he’ll still need professional help to really perform above the hurt level!
Just lately, Tiwa Savage ‘s sextape was leaked on social media after she refused to be blackmailed. You can imagine how Popular she is, and how much backlash she has received so far. This is not a case of whether it was wrong or right for her to have been video taping herself during s€xual intercourse, but it’s about how the backlash and general pressure could affect her performance and delivery.
We’ve seen unexpected suicide attempt cases, drug addiction situations, especially by artists who often believe drugs, pills or suicide is the way out of depression, but this is usually because society either downplays their painw or they don’t have the necessary therapists who could listen and counsel them without first, judging.
It’s encouraging to see projects like Tohkam coming with likely solutions to help people publicly. Via their platform, persons can report mental health cases and others either anonymously or publicly, where they get attended to by professional counsellors, and therapists.
However, just like record labels and most companies employ PRs, managers and other organs that keep the company functional, I’m of the opinion that most of them need to start taking into consideration, mental health of their clients to ensure better performance and more productivity!
I’m of the opinion that artists need psychologists if we must continue to enjoying good music and better performances. What do you think ?
NB: Magasco’s Dubaï tour/Concert is underway, and boy he needs this to dust what has been a challenging year in all aspects to him. Show some love!!
