”When I first started experiencing depression, I did not know that I was suffering from the disease. Generally, I am a very happy and extroverted person. However, in 2018, things changed. I would suddenly find myself feeling very sad with no reason behind it. This was coupled with lack of sleep that would extend throughout an entire night. I would often skip work, avoid interactions with other people opting to stay alone with no interest in eating or even showering. This went on for months until I saw a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with severe depression. I then began treatment which helped me get better and go back to my life as it were,” said Tom.

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Tom is among many Kenyans who have had to battle with mental health illnesses. However, not all are fortunate to receive help or treatment. He was speaking at a mental health open day organised by the Aga Khan University’s Institute for Human Development (IHD) in partnership with Dagoretti sub-County’s health department among other stakeholders.

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In line with this year’s World Mental Health Day theme, the event sought to raise awareness on the importance of mental health. It was held in Nairobi’s Kawangware informal settlement situated in Dagoretti sub-County. Representatives from the health department outlined the various measures taken to combat the mental health crisis in the area.

 “As a county, we are working hard to take care of our mental health. In all our level 3 and level 4 institutions, you can get treatment for free if faced with a mental health illness,” said Dr Leah Njeri Njenga, acting sub-County representative Ministry of Health, Dagoretti.

The keynote speaker, former senator Hon Sylvia Kasanga, who also commissioned the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill, 2020​ commended the County Government of Nairobi for its commitment in tackling mental health challenges and advocated for county governments to invest in mental health. 

The event also provided an opportunity for community members to gain insights on how they can take care of their mental health and where they can seek help.

Some of the recommended ways to promote mental wellbeing include: talking to someone trustworthy, looking after one’s physical health, engaging in activities that one enjoys, avoiding harmful substances such as alcohol and drug abuse, meditation and seeking professional help when in need.

The mental health open day adds to the work that IHD is doing to promote mental health. Currently, the Institute is implementing research projects that seek to understand and address mental health problems faced by communities in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. For example, through the ‘SPARK’ project, IHD is testing a model of engaging community resource persons to identify and refer children with developmental disabilities appropriately and promote their families and caregivers’ mental wellbeing. 

The Institute is also conducting research aimed at developing a comprehensive measure to evaluate adolescents’ connectedness and character development funded by Templeton World Charity Foundation. The project, funded by the European Commission, aims to assess mental health outcomes among different adolescents including those in-school and out of school, as well as adolescents with disabilities and living with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, through the UZIMA project, IHD is using data science to promote mental health services.