Residents from Marsabit urged to stop stigmatization among people with mental heath conditions. Photo: KBC.
As the world comes to an end in marking Mental Health Awareness Month, marked from May 1 to 31, residents of Marsabit have been urged to stop discriminating on members of the community affected by mental health disorders.
Dr. William Mbaabu from Bee Hive Hospital in Marsabit town said that there is less awareness and knowledge in the society about mental health disorders, that has led to stigmatization of patients, urging that there is need of carrying out intensive mental health awareness to the society.
He said that many patients have isolated themselves to avoid being judged by members of the society.
“It is mental health awareness month, we have been focusing on creating mental health awareness that has been observed for ages. One of the reason we are advocating for this, is because there is less awareness and information about mental health among members of the society, we want to drive the stigma directed to victims by members of the society, through creating awareness on the reality of mental health,” Mbaabu explained.
Additionally, Mbaabu said that a large percentage of youths addicted to drugs and substance abuse have been affected by mental health disorders due to addiction, his sentiments echoed by Calistus Wekesa, a mental health champion from Trans Nzoia County.
The two stating that the age group is prone to developing mental health issues, because of life demands including educational requirements, peer pressure and need to make it in life.
“A large portion of those suffering from mental health illnesses are youths. These is a gap that is at a high risk of being affected by mental health because they are at a stage in life that comes with so much demands of life, that is why the a big percentage comes from them,” he further explained.
Mbaabu mentioned that Schizophrenia is the common Psychotic disorder, while Bipolar episodes are the common forms of mental illnesses that affect a large percentage of people. Bipolar episodes manifest through quick change of personality from calmness to very aggressive.
“Schizophrenia a Psychotic disorder and bipolar and maniac episodes are the common mental health disorders. Bipolar and maniac episodes are characterized by varying personalities from joyful to extremely being aggressive, which change within a short period of time. These are the common cases in the society,” he explained.
His calls come as Wekesa the founder Afya Care Foundation, says they are planning to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with schools to make the program a continuous process for it to be impactful among students in schools and cushion them against drug and substance abuse, that leads to the development of mental health disorders.
