The Talking Drum of the Mind: Mental Health in the African Worldview
Date: July 26, 2025
Speakers: Dr. Stephanie Okolo, Fr. Bature B. Joseph, Dr. Muhammad G. Ibrahim, Dr. Mfon Bassey
This groundbreaking session brought together diverse voices and rich perspectives to explore a deeply rooted yet often overlooked subject: mental health within the African worldview. With an impressive lineup of speakers — Dr. Stephanie Okolo, Fr. Bature B. Joseph, Dr. Muhammad G. Ibrahim, and Dr. Mfon Bassey — the conversation echoed like a drumbeat through the corridors of our collective consciousness.
Using the metaphor of the talking drum — a traditional African instrument known not just for its sound but for its ability to “speak” messages — the panel unpacked how mental health has been historically perceived, interpreted, and handled across African cultures.
They addressed the unspoken taboos, the spiritual interpretations, the communal responses, and the lingering silence that has often surrounded mental health discussions in African societies.
A key takeaway was the realization that mental illness is not foreign to Africa, but the way it has been conceptualized and treated has largely been shaped by cultural, religious, and traditional frameworks. While some of these perspectives have offered support and community, others have contributed to harmful stigmas and a lack of access to proper care.
Each speaker brought unique insights:
Dr. Okolo emphasized the need for integration between traditional beliefs and modern mental health practices.
Fr. Bature spoke on the spiritual lens through which many African communities view psychological struggles.
Dr. Ibrahim highlighted cultural humility as essential in mental health interventions across diverse African settings.
Dr. Bassey urged for a reconstruction of narratives to create space for both healing and understanding.
This session was more than a dialogue — it was a call to listen to the rhythms of our minds, just as we listen to the beats of the talking drum, and to begin crafting an inclusive, compassionate, and culturally grounded mental health framework for Africa.