By Gitau wa Kung’u
(profgitauwakungu@gmail.com)
- The Kigumo DCC advised the audience to keep of behavioral patterns that are active ingredients in the mental illnesses stew. “Many families today are breaking because spouses resort to alcohol, drug and substance abuse when life gets tough, stressing and depressing.”
- He cited cases that contribute to mental disorders/illnesses like making poor financial decisions. “You should not take loans and spend carelessly on alcohol, drugs and luxurious lifestyles and expect happy lives and happy families after banks, shylocks or other debtors call in auctioneers to sell family properties after defaulting.”
Yesterday was an involution manifestation of devolution as envisioned in the 2010 Constitution and World Health Organisation (WHO). It was an exuberant day at Kigumo Township that exemplified the power of public-private partnership especially in the health sector.
Murang’a County government’s Mental Health Department, in partnership with the national government, several private sectors players in Mental Health advocates/activists, financial institutions, Non-governmental organizations, private health practitioners, institutions of learning and members of public, made a vociferous event in the cerebration of the World Mental Health Week.
The event was in synchrony with the WHO’s World Mental Health Day’s theme: Mental Health is a Universal Right. It was hosted by Kigumo Sub county Level IV Hospital and involved Kamili Mental Health NGO, Bossbaby Mental Health Advocates, Murang’a KMTC campus, Wamahiga Secondary School, other stakeholders and the local community.
An irresistible band matched, preceding many words of wisdom that vibrated in enchanting wavelengths as they cooled the barbequing rays of the afternoon sun and glided gently into attentive ears around the township.
The Kigumo DCC advised the audience to keep of behavioral patterns that are active ingredients in the mental illnesses stew. “Many families today are breaking because spouses resort to alcohol, drug and substance abuse when life gets tough, stressing and depressing.”
He cited cases that contribute to mental disorders/illnesses like making poor financial decisions. “You should not take loans and spend carelessly on alcohol, drugs and luxurious lifestyles and expect happy lives and happy families after banks, shylocks or other debtors call in auctioneers to sell family properties after defaulting.”
Many cases of mental illnesses in Murang’a County are caused by alcohol, drug and substance abuse. These include bhang, muguka, pills and kuberr.
The Murang’a Mental Health Department’s youthful Mr. Mbuthia requested the local community to be active team players in the government’s efforts to curb killer alcohols and dangerous drugs causing mental disorders among young people to keep skyrocketing in the county.
Kamili Mental Health NGO’s Programmes Manager, Ms. Lydiah Wachira educated the audience on the causes, levels, stages to mental disorders/illnesses and stress management. “Many men are vulnerable to mental disorders because they contempt sharing their stress. Speak out to counseling psychologists in your nearest health facilities if you find it hard to open up to friends for fear of stigmatisation!” Ms. Lydiah philosophied.
Kamili Mental Health Org, a Kenyan NGO that operates from Nairobi trains psychiatric nurses. The NGO has sponsored Murang’a County with 6 psychiatric nurses to support in the mental health department. “We call upon interested mental health advocates to check with us, in the hope of sponsor more locals to become psychiatric nurses and boost the mental health department,” Ms Lydiah volunteered.
Modern Aberdare View Hospital, a private hospital was also represented by Mr. Ephantus Gicheha, also advised youths to stay away from bad peer influence that dumps many into alcohol, drug and substance abuse and into mental illnesses that has led many into suicide and premature deaths. He welcomed locals to a free Surgical Clinic on 27th this month, Kangarî for fractures, ENT, fibroids, undeveloped testicles correction and other minor surgeries. “Many of these diseases also contribute to mental illnesses. You are welcome to the free Surgical Clinic and we’ll help prevent yours getting encroached by anxiety, stress, depression and other mental illhealth contributors on 27th October,” Mr Ephantus, a psychologist, said.
Honia Afrika Initiative (HAI) founder Julius Gitau encouraged stakeholders to partner and participate in developing policies and amendments on mental health act. He said that HAI is already drafting a memoranda on the E-health Bill of 2023 to develop clauses that conform to the WHO guidance on mental health legislation and policies for the Kenyan people.
Other issues that were discussed to help in the fight against mental health illnesses include showing love and care towards mentally disturbed people, ceasing stigmatisation. This was illustrated by drama skits by Murang’a KMTC and Kakuzi Group mental health champions.
The government was also requested to increase funding for mental health awareness. Youths were requested to form innovative groups and engage proactively in self-development.
