• This will be particularly useful if we are to attain Universal Health Coverage
I was recently watching this series where the main character loses her father, who succumbs to a heart attack. Prior to his death, the girl didn't get along well with her mother, but he would play the mediator, who pacified things. Upon his death, the girl's relationship with her mother deteriorated even more.
Following these events, the girl was enrolled for therapy sessions. Things did not get better between her and her mother, so her mother decided to have a talk with the girl’s therapist.
The therapist welcomed her, and told her that she, too, should get sessions with a therapist. She quickly dismissed the idea, saying it is a ‘white man’s thing’ and is not something she believes in. At the end of the conversation, however, she felt much better about the state of things.
September is suicide prevention awareness month. A time to raise awareness about this topic many shy away from speaking of and to work towards preventing such incidents. Therapy is a solution that could prove very useful to anyone undergoing depression. It gives one an opportunity to talk to a professional about their issues, which then allows them to get professional advice on the issues they face.
Moreover, unlike talking to friends or religious leaders, which many people resort to, therapists have to abide by professional ethics and will almost never regurgitate what their clients shared with them. Opening up is a good way to deal with mental health issues, but it usually bears the risk of someone being the talk of town should their secrets be spilled. Therapy alleviates this risk.
Unfortunately, many people in Kenya do not think it is worth pursuing due to the conceived notion that it is a white person’s thing. When the suggestion is brought forth, many people will dismiss it, saying, “Hizo ni vitu za wazungu.” But in essence, it is a useful solution.
More women than men seem to embrace the idea of therapy. A tide that ought to change, given that mental health issues seem to affect men disproportionately. Therapy would allow them that much-needed space to wear their emotions and allow themselves to be vulnerable.
The cost is also untenable for most Kenyans. In my interaction with this topic, I sought to find out how much it costs for a therapy session.
From my findings, the least consultation fee charged is around Sh2,000 per session. The range can go to as high as Sh5,000. In a country where people are struggling to put food on their tables, paying such amounts for therapy may not be possible even where one is willing to attend therapy sessions.
Public hospitals should be more intentional on this. They should establish a framework that allows people to access quality therapy sessions at an affordable price. This will be particularly useful if we are to attain Universal Health Coverage, as mental health is an important aspect of one’s well-being.
Insurance companies should also consider paying for therapy sessions. If a person is physically unwell, they willingly pay the person’s bills. So, what happens if one is not well mentally and could die because of this but cannot access help because the insurance company cannot pay? If such a person commits suicide, methinks the policy will not have been helpful to them. This is, therefore, worth looking into.
To anyone feeling low, it’s okay not to be okay. And it would be wonderful to seek help. Therapy is a useful thing and we should not stigmatise it as a ‘white man’s thing’.