How mental health challenge is taking a toll on youths' lives in Kenya
Bipolar disorder concept. Courtesy photo
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, 23 percent of people in Kenya suffer from mental health issues, with many being diagnosed in hospitals showing signs of depression, substance abuse, stress, and anxiety disorders.
This suggests that one in every four people will experience mental health problems at some point in their lives.
Youths are at a particularly high risk of suffering from mental health issues.
Various interventions have been implemented to address this growing concern.
Carson Anekeya, a student and mental health advocate, shares his personal journey of being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder while still in primary school.
Speaking to AVDelta News, he recounts the challenges he faced before receiving his diagnosis.
"Being diagnosed with Bipolar was the hardest thing I have ever encountered in my life. It reached a point where I had to accept the situation, and this acceptance led me to start advocating for mental health. I would isolate myself from others and often preferred to sit in dark places," Carson says.
Bipolar Disorder is characterised by two types of episodes: depressive and hypomanic.
A depressive episode lasts at least two weeks, while a hypomanic episode lasts at least four days. Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder include feeling sad, hopeless, and irritable most of the time, losing interest in everyday activities, feeling pessimistic about everything, and self-doubt.
Carson points out that the significant pressure youth face today is a contributing factor to the rising mental health issues among young people.
As awareness grows, so does the recognition of the unique challenges faced by different generations. The youths, for example, grapple with the pressures of social media, academic success, and high societal expectations, creating an environment where mental health issues are more prevalent than ever.
In response to the growing mental health crisis, the Taskforce on Mental Health has recommended that mental health be declared a National Emergency of epidemic proportions.
They emphasize the need to prioritize mental health as a key issue on the national socioeconomic agenda.
The taskforce also recommends the establishment of a Mental Health and Happiness Commission to advise, coordinate, and continuously monitor the state of mental health in the country.
