By Moffin Opilio
Nairobi, Kenya: Stigma among people struggling with mental illness is increasingly becoming a concern among health practitioners.
Insensitive statements like, “What have you got to be depressed about?”
“Stop being so immature about your problems, everyone has one.”
“You are becoming an irresponsible drinker. You should learn to control yourself.”
“I thought you were doing well last month. Now, what’s wrong?”
“Have you tried praying, changing your diet, enrolling in a gym?”
Are now common. They come from family, friends, and even co-workers.
Such statements are said to cause more damage to people with mental illness, experts sat.
“As a society, we still make moral judgments about those who live with mental health issues and the challenges they face in managing their illnesses,” said Rhodah Kariuki, a 24-year-old professional counseling psychologist.
According to Kariuki, the negative bias or stigma surrounding mental health often is seen as an individual failing and something that can be controlled.
“There’s a perceived weakness in the individual who is having mental problems,” she said, “Falsehoods and incorrect images are pervasive, but professionals in recent decades have been challenging misconceptions to improve public attitude.”
Kariuki’s Intervention
Less than four years ago, Kariuki, 24, was an undergraduate political science, Psychology, and sociology student at the Multimedia University of Kenya.
While in school, Kariuki narrates how she constantly experienced a rising number of mental health-related cases such as depression, and other mental illnesses among her peers, some of which ended up in suicide cases.
Just as much as the issue of mental health became a concern to the Government at the peak of COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021, Rhodah felt the need to use her knowledge of psychology to offer a solution to the community around her.
It was during this quest that she founded TwaAssist Kenya, an organization that provides mental health services and care to people in Kenya. Her objective is to provide professional counseling and empathetically support each individual to develop positive mental health strategies that will improve their self-worth and happiness.
“TwaAssist strives to improve public understanding of mental issues at home, in the community, and in the workplace through community education, influencing policy and mental health initiatives.”
Since its inception, Kariuki specializes in individual cognitive behavioral therapy, treating children aged 8 years and older, adolescents, young adults, and adults. She is passionate about child development, parenting, and helping her clients work through faith transitions and betrayal trauma.
Dealing with mental illness
According to reports from the Ministry of health-Kenya, One in five people experiences a mental health or substance use concern in any given year.
“Disruptions and another falls out related to the pandemic – from school closures and social isolation to economic hardship and family loss or illness – have raised new concerns about people’s mental health,” read the report.
Kariuki explains that the extraordinary and sustained stresses experienced by young people during the pandemic have been a key topic and concern for many parents, doctors, psychologists, and educators.
According to her, Mental health awareness, especially among our youth, is one of the most important priorities we need to focus on today.
She states that there is a need to focus on starting the conversation, providing support, and getting help for those who need it.
“Most of us know someone who already has battled mental illnesses,” she said, “and for most, seeking mental help for mental health is challenging. “
As a result, she urges people to learn how to manage their emotions on their own through interactive therapy, saying that it can help improve their mental health status.
“One thing that a mental health group can provide is the sense that you are not alone,” added Kariuki, “In person, therapy has also been shown to be effective at treating a wide range of mental health disorders.”
Kariuki says the recovery journey can begin at any time.
“Your recovery journey does not have to start when you feel that you have hit rock bottom. In fact, we encourage you to seek the support you need before reaching a low point.”
The counseling psychologist explained that at TwaAssist Kenya, they understand how difficult and lonely our paths can be.
Therefore, they engage with various social groups (schools, community-based organizations, faith groups) in these moments to support their mental health and empower them, so they can find the ‘bloom of spring’.
“Our goal is to help every individual find the strength to persevere through life struggles and find peace, build stronger relationships, develop positive mental health strategies and enable our clients to be resilient and strong,” asserted Kariuki.
She further stated that even though People may appear similar, each is unique and they at TwaAssist treat every individual according to their personal background, success, challenges, and situational perception.
” As such, we are a practice that accepts all beliefs and cultural backgrounds while focusing our time together on a client-specific situation. We understand that each person has a unique set of resistance and welcome everyone.”
Since starting out her mental health recovery services, Kariuki, through TwaAssist Kenya, has partnered with Various organizations, thereby hugely impacting more than 1000 youths
“No one should die out of suicide if we care enough to listen and to pay attention to people, what they are saying verbally and non-verbally. We can save lives!” Emphasizes Kariuki.
Today, the world marks World Mental Health Day where the theme for this year-2022 is ‘Make mental health and well-being for all a global priority.
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Moffin Opilio and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
