Majority of Kenyans cannot distinguish the different kinds of #mentalillnesses, which explains why most cases of #suicide are missed.
A report by the Ministry of Health has identified #depression and #suicide as the leading #mentalhealthillnesses in the country.
However, the report notes poor documentation of #mentalillnesses by health workers, with all neurological related conditions lumped up together.
“At present only one indicator captures all #mentaldisorders in the existing health information system. This means that health care workers are forced to record substance use disorders, #suicide attempts, schizophrenia, and #depression simply as #mentaldisorders,” reads the report released on July 7.
The report titled “#Mentalhealth and well-being towards happiness and national prosperity,” indicates that Kenyans do not know the different behaviours that are synonymous to a #mentalillness.
As a result, the report compiled by a task force led by Dr Frank Njenga, notes that care for the affected is not given on time and it comes when the disease has worsened.
According to the report, Kenyans think that the term #mentalhealth was synonymous with #mentalillness.
It further notes that in the last few years, the society has witnessed an unprecedented number of people and families adversely affected by poor #mentalhealth. Kenya, however, does not have the exact data on #suicide cases. “This is the ticking time bomb that Kenyans are sitting on,” reads the report.
It notes that it is estimated that globally, one person dies by #suicide every 40 seconds. Other illnesses mentioned are substance use disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other psychoses.
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
The report notes that unlike other illnesses, the greatest impact of #mentalillhealth does not lie solely in the number of persons who die from the disease, but from the number of years lived with the disability.
Official records, as noted by the task force report, suggest that in 2016, the national #suicide mortality rate was 3.2 per 100,000 people.
“Experts believe that the true figures are much higher. Whatever the truth, Kenyans have the duty to care for their countrymen who reach, by reason of #mentaldisorder, depths of despair that lead to #suicide,” the report reads in part.
This picture, the report says, is adequate to conclude that Kenya can no longer bury its head in the sand as people continue to cry out for help.
“It was clear that at least 25 percent of outpatients and 40 percent of inpatients in different health facilities had a #mentalillness, and an estimated prevalence of psychosis stated as one per cent of the general population,” reads the report.
However, that attempted #suicide remains recorded as a criminal act by those who perform it means that Kenyans who suffer the severe pain inflicted by #depression suffer also the additional trauma of being viewed as criminals.
“Parliament to move fast to decriminalise #suicide attempts in order to reduce #stigma and discrimination and encourage help-seeking among people that are feeling suicidal,” reads the recommendation of the task force.
Additionally, the task force also recommends restricting access to firearms.
It also proposes educating the #media on responsible reporting of #suicide and implementing programmes among #young people to build life skills to cope with #stress.
The team held discussions with a total of 1,569 Kenyans and received 206 memoranda.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
