Kinshasa - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Morale here is bad, in our opinion. I find the Mission to be under-staffed and over-worked. There is a lot of stress, compounded to the fact that life here is quite difficult. The Cops are corrupt, people ask you for money all the time, it can get tiring quite fast. There is a lot of violence here, it is not rare to see people resorting to physical violence to solve a disagreement. Embassy kids have witnessed horrible traffic accidents, riots and civil unrest while going/returning to/from school. A couple of families have curtailed, spouses have left with the children due to the hardships, and everyone seems to be affected in one way or another. - Aug 2022
In my opinion, the embassy is often understaffed, the work can be stressful, and it's hard to get around the city which can feel isolating. COVID compounded those issues. There are noticeable mental health concerns in the community as a result (and they were present before COVID, too). I think anyone coming here should seriously reflect on their mental health and their most common coping mechanisms. From what I have seen, it is not uncommon to see a social drinker start to develop unhealthy drinking habits here, or for someone who occasionally has a short fuse to become much more hot-headed. Find someone (at post or back home) who can help you keep an eye on your mental health and alert you if it seems like you're doing poorly during your time here. And come here with solid hobbies or activities to help you disconnect and relieve stress. - May 2022
Folks who don't get out and get to know the community might be vulnerable to depression. Its a lot to adapt to if you don't know the language or have the chance to understand the chaos through community involvement. - Aug 2019
It is overcast with almost no direct sunlight for most of the dry season (about three months), which I personally didn't enjoy. I found it hard to spend time outdoors due to the heat and mosquitoes, and living behind walls topped with barbed wire can definitely take a toll on you over time. If you don't speak French I would probably be socially isolating, though the embassy is decently large and fairly tight-knit. - Apr 2019
No winter blues! lots of sunshine. Kinshasa takes some getting used to but if you are adaptable with a sense of humor you'll do OK. - Dec 2017
No but there is poverty everywhere. - Dec 2017
Resiliency is key, a positive attitude is tough to sustain here. Do anything to avoid extra stress because everything here is difficult. Make yourself be mindful. Exercise regularly. Eat well. Sleep well. Socialize. If you find yourself in a rut, reach out. The community here is pretty strong and we do what we can to share the burdens of this hardship post. - Mar 2017
Morale at post is low and most people try to get out of country once every few months. Two things that often sap people's resilience are traffic (which is horrible and stressful to drive in daily) and boredom. While it has its benefits, Kinshasa is not a relaxing city to live in and not an easy place to blend in. Being constantly targeted can take its toll. It's best to bring lots of games and equipment for hobbies with you to fill free time and to plan regular travel. - Jan 2017
No more than at any hardship post. - Sep 2016
