Battle of the Mind

Mental health illnesses are episodic, just like a lot of physical illnesses. 

By Constance Ndeleko

Winding the beautiful Meru hills was scenic given the picturesque views of the endless winding hills and streams that enhance the beauty of the land. It was such a great opportunity to take a city break to unveil issues on mental health and mental disability.

I will point out that this was not a normal field work trips. Not that I walked blankly not understanding the severity of the issues affecting these children but it was an eye opening moment to deeply understand the impact it has on the lives of children as well as their care givers.

Primarily, we need to understand the definition of Mental Health, Mental illness and Mental Disability as there’s a huge difference that needs to be clearly outlined.

Mental Health: “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”(WHO)

Mental IllnessA health problem that significantly affects how a person feels, thinks, behaves, and interacts with other people. It is diagnosed according to standardized criteria. Mental illnesses cause a great deal of suffering to those experiencing them, as well as their families and friends.

Mental illnesses are of different types and degrees of severity. Some of the major types are depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar mood disorder, personality disorders, and eating disorders. The most common mental illnesses are anxiety and depressive disorders. The burden of mental disorders continues to grow with significant impacts on health and major social, human rights and economic consequences in all countries of the world.

Mental Disability: as a “mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of an individual; a record of impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment’,

According to The World Health Organization, one in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. 

Unfortunately, there’s no time set when these conditions may strike and at the same time they don’t choose whom to affect. From the outlook of thing with reliable research, it affects people differently where some will struggle for years while others may have manageable symptoms of their conditions.

Mental health illnesses are episodic, just like a lot of physical illnesses ad this poses a challenge to care givers most especially when a child cannot clearly communicate what they are going through.

Visiting the beautiful North Imenti homesteads, we met one “John” a jovial ten years old boy walking to meet us by the side of the road. He seems happy seeing us and the camera really intrigues him. A few minutes later of familiarization, we understand the he suffers from Cerebral Palsy and that his conditions have been improving over the years as he can now walk and he also tries to hold lighter things with one of his hands. On bad days his moods changes and it becomes problematic for the mother to handle him as he cannot express himself.

Speaking to “John’s” mother miss. Jane highlights that “it has been a relief seeing him able to walk and do somethings for himself. I have been unable to go about my other duties because of the responsibilities I have which also forced me to leave my accounting job back then. I don’t regret doing what I do today for this child because if I didn’t do it then he wouldn’t have been able to be where he is today.”

Walking down the memory lane with Miss. Jane made me understand the mental and emotional stress she has been into given that she did not have the required support to raise a child with mental health issues as we as a disability.

In retrospect, she recalls attempting suicide when it was too much to handle. “I would not want to walk down that road again. My baby was suffering, I was not okay. I was financially unstable and I couldn’t stand the stigma we faced as a family. “John” is the best thing that has happened in my life and all I want is for the government to fully recognize that we have a challenge and we need support with children who are either mentally disabled or have mental illnesses.”

Poor mental health literacy also contributes to the problem of mental health stigma. Those who do not understand mental health or mental illness often hold negative and harmful attitudes toward those with psychiatric issues. These attitudes lead to shame, anger, and feelings of worthlessness.” (Putting People First in Mental Health)

Speaking to more parents in the region, another highlight was that not only are children suffering but their caregivers are also on the verge of breaking down due to depression, stress, anxiety and stigma.

Despondently, this particular group of children are missing out so much; some are being locked up in room with lack of fresh air, they are not considered for schooling, they live in wanting environments that infringe on their human rights. It is a tough call but we have to ensure that everyone’s rights to basic needs are met and they are not isolated for whatsoever reasons.

Furthermore, Meru has seen the rise of support for children and person with disabilities where their needs have been cared for and now parents and care givers with children suffering from mental disabilities and mental illnesses want their children needs to be priorities not only at the community level but at the county level and they should be budgeted for in every fiscal year.

During the stakeholders meeting, we got to understand that even with the support of the organizations like AICs, Kamili….etc the governments input needs to be felt in regards to budget allocation in their financial programming to cater for the needs of those suffering from mental health issues.

As we plan for a better future for our children let’s plan with them in mind and that no child should be left behind.

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