Worshippers of the Praise Chapel Kenya Church braved the early morning rains in the Port City of Mombasa for a five kilometres walk to mark world mental health awareness day.
The church joins the world in marking World Mental Health Day 2024, this year’s theme according to the World Health Organization is “Mental Health at Work”
Persons suffering from mental health disorders were urged to talk out for the world to know and get assistance to heal.
The church faithful have formed a counselling group dubbed Tumaini Hub where congregants undergoing depression, anxiety, fear, bipolar and other mental disorders can seek counselling.
Roselyn Omole, a Counselling Psychologist says the church wants mental health talks to be normalized and awareness.
“Today, as a Church-Praise Chapel we have come together and invited all and sundry to participate in waking up Mombasa to the realization that it is time to speak out. It is time to say that it is okay not to be okay. It is time to remove the stigma from the society,” stated Omole.
“It is time to look for support, many people are suffering out there and it is time for us to support one another and walk with one another in our families, and workplace.”
The faithful had sub-themes with messages that would bring out minds and help them to restore calmness in their lives.
“As we walk the whole of Kizingo area we are telling people that we are with you. If you’re hiding in the house, if you’re hiding in a corner we are saying we want to support you in understanding that you’re not alone and that you can be help. That they are places you can go to and that help is waiting for you,” said the Counselling Psychologist.
Bishop Tee Nalo, Praise Chapel Kenya says the church wants to create awareness of mental health and society should not hide or chained persons suffering from mental disorders but should assist them to get treatment.
“Those people need assistance, if a person in your family suffers from mental health don’t hide or chain him but seek assistance,” stated Bishop Nalo.
He further said the prevailing situations in the country have exacerbated the problem as people are suffering due to the economic and political turmoil and other issues affecting the well-being of people.
The church, he noted has counsellors who are ready to assist persons with mental disorders. He advised other churches to follow suit and establish counselling hubs in their precincts.
Meanwhile, the Bishop urged parents to monitor their children’s mental well-being as the schools’ thirds come to an end.
“They should investigate the things they go through when in schools as some may have been inveigling to drug and substance abuse. They should talk to them and assist them,” said Bishop Nalo.
By Sadik Hassan
