• Mental health condition has been a topic of discussion not only in Kenya but globally for years.
• According to statistics, one in every four people who visit healthcare facilities have a mental health condition
Mental health is a condition that affects how we feel, think and act, thus interfering with individual's emotional, psychological and social well being. This is according to the World Health Organization.
In recent years, mental health conditions have been significantly increasing steadily in Kenya. Mental health condition has been a topic of discussion not only in Kenya but globally for years. Heads of state in different countries have been working hard to have solutions but these attempts have had only little fruits. In this regard, mental health condition is a big threat in our country.
According to statistics, one in every four people who visit healthcare facilities have a mental health condition. This means 11. 5 million Kenyans suffer from mental health conditions. Men are the most affected. According to research, men are more affected by mental health condition because they don’t open up and share their experiences with anyone. Women suffer from mental health conditions because they tend to think on solutions to overcome their challenges.
Colleges and university students have not been spared from mental health conditions. An overwhelming75 per cent of population suffering from mental health are young generation. In many times they don't have consent. Research has also revealed that 70 per cent of university students suffer from mental health, with 40-50 per cent being depression and the rest being other forms of mental health conditions.
Mental health condition are of different forms, including depression, addictive behaviour , anxiety and small percentage of mood disorders. Research has shown that depression is the leading form of mental health condition. In Many cases, it goes undiagnosed. The adverse effects are felt later, which includes stress, and suicidal thoughts and feelings.
Research has shown that young people aged from adolescent to early twenties have suicidal thoughts and feelings. Most people who are at this bracket are in school. Suicidal thoughts may originate from their state of being hopeless, helpless, bullying, isolation from family members, pressure from studies and lack of support from family. Drug and substance abuse has its share in mental health condition among teenagers and youths.
Every year since 2013, WHO has designated October 10 as world mental health day. The federation for mental health announced the theme for this year’s world mental health day to be" make mental health for all a global priority. Yet we have been celebrating it with glory, only a few steps has been taken to curb mental health conditions. Government and heads of state should be in forefront in efforts of curbing widespread mental health.
Let's join hands to wane mental health conditions. Personal responsibility is the key focus on the war against mental health conditions, depression and suicide prevention. By speaking up, we can be assisted where and when we get struck since speaking is the powerful weapon.
Secondly, let's seek guidance and counseling services whenever it's overwhelming. By doing so, we can get mental, physical and emotional nourishment. Let government put more efforts to end mental health condition amongst university students, youths, teens and adults at large.
Felix Kyalo Musyoki is a communication and media technology student at Maseno University