Nyamira residents have been urged to support people suffering from mental health and stop stigmatizing them for they are vulnerable in that condition and need specialized medical attention and psychosocial support
Nyamira County First Lady, Emily Nyaribo while presiding over the launch of a campaign on mental health awareness in the region, observed that the community neglected people suffering from mental health and failed to take them for medical checkup on claims that they were bewitched or was as a result of a family curses.
“It is because of this dire situation that Nyamira County health services department has decided to partner with Gusii Mental Health (GMH) Foundation to create awareness and sensitize our residents on the importance of treating people suffering from mental health with love, care and give them all necessary support they require because mental health is treatable.
She promised to fast track efforts by the county government to have mental health wellness clinics in all Sub County hospitals so that such clients can be attended to near their homes and get timely intervention before their conditions become unmanageable.
Gusii Mental Health (GMH) Foundation founder, Ms. Tabitha Bwari emphasized that her campaign dubbed #Breakingthesilence centres more on ending the stigma conducting sensitization forums in public forums, organizing for community barazaas, media talks and posters for people to stop stigmatizing those suffering from mental health.
“Our loved ones suffering from mental health illness have gone into depression, have contemplated suicide, turned wild and cannot be contained at home and worse still some have died yet their condition can be managed if purposeful interventions like seeking for early medication are sought to maintain the good health of our loved ones the reason, we want to break the silence give all our support.” Bwari commented.
Dr. Mary Njoroge, a psychiatrist at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital highlighted those negative thoughts is the key psychological factor which prompts mental health illness. Other causes could be traumatic childhood experiences due to abuse or family conflicts which are never forgotten even at adulthood.
“We must change our approach on dealing with people suffering from mental illness, bring them to hospital for medical examination and treatment and value them the same way you would like to be valued in-case you faced such a challenge in life for it can strike any time.” Dr. Mary advised.
Dr. Timothy Ombati, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for health confirmed that the county government of Nyamira is constructing an ultra- modern mental hospital at Magwagwa with a 200-bed capacity and is likely to serve mental health patients in the entire county and beyond and once completed referring patients to other counties for specialized treatment will be a thing of the past.
By Deborah Bochere and Albert Mokaya
