Four Kenyans die everyday due to mental related disorders!
According to a WHO report estimate, 14.3 percent of deaths globally or approximately 8 million deaths each year are attributed to mental disorders .
By Caroline Kahonzi
Sambasports youth agenda organization in Kwale county is implementing a project dubbed “ Kumekucha Quest” to create awareness on mental health as a way of preventing increasing cases of suicide witnessed in the society .
According to a WHO report estimate, 14.3 percent of deaths globally or approximately 8 million deaths each year are attributed to mental disorders .
Kenya stands at 4 deaths per day caused by suicidal behavior, a common mental health condition ,according to the Ministry of Health report 2022.
Speaking during a mental health wellness bash at kombani social in Matuga constituency , Mwanaisha Kuwania from Sambasport Youth Agenda ,a project officer of Kumekucha Quest, said they are creating awareness through skits ,poetry , psychologists and testimonials from suicidal survivors and emotional thermometers .
“Mental health is real in our society and it’s a silent killer disease like any other disease, but unfortunately, in our African traditions, mental health is associated with witch craft yet it’s a condition that requires awareness that’s why as sambasports we started this project to save the community. We are using poems ,plays and songs for the community to better understand the message ,” Said Ms Kuwania .
Ms kuwania affirmed the inclusion of children and youth in the project .
“We are engaging six schools, both secondary and primary, in this program because our project has two categories. We have youth 18 to 24 years old and children between 10 to 17 years most of them are in school. That is the reason we engage them in school and we believe they will be our ambassadors to help pass information to their friends and society at large on matters mental health ,this is our second year and we have managed to reach over 300 youth ,”Posed the project officer .
Dan Kinyanjui, an artist and survivor of mental health disorder, confirmed to have been suffering from depression silently after losing his job in 2019 and his wife in 2017 .
“I was doing weird things like taking alcohol , avoiding people but I did not realize the problem. Although I was going through hardships. It was very hard because, at a point in 2021, I was taken to Portreiz hospital because I was totally depressed. Overing stigma is not easy because earning peoples trust is not easy but I accepted and begun a new life ,”Noted Mr.Kinyanjui .
The artist called upon the community to be brothers’ eye keepers and maintain love for each other and save those going through depression .
, Queenter Naliaka Wambulwa, a cyber-gender based violence survivor and a founder of Girls for Girls African mental health foundation-now offering free psychosocial support to young girls in society .
“We understand therapy is very expensive that is why we are very excited about this new partnership dubbed mobile mental health clinic ,we want to implement it in Mombasa ,Kilifi and Kwale. We want to partner with the sambasports youth agenda to help young girls ,men and adolescents to access mental health in their setting especially in schools and at home ,”Said Ms.Queenter
.Counselling psychologist and a focal person for mental health Kwale county Dr Triza Ireri, urged people suffering mental disorders, especially depression, to open up to friends and relatives or seek support at the mental health departments.
Matuga deputy county commissioner Lucy Ndemo noted the government is collaborating with mental health experts to end suicide cases in the area .
Affordable ,effective and feasible strategies exist to promote ,protect and restore mental health. The need for action on mental health is indisputable and urgent .
Mental health is determined by a complex interplay of individual ,social and structural stresses and vulnerabilities .
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