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Nyeri County asked to provide counselling services following rise in suicide cases

Thursday, December 8th, 2022 18:19 | By

Nyeri County Assembly has adopted a motion compelling the county government to have psychology services mandatory in health institutions under the management of the county.

The motion that was sponsored by the nominated Member of County Assembly (MCA) Kariithi Wambui comes in the wake of increased suicide cases in the county, the latest being a 9-year-old boy who took his life in Mathira Constituency, following a disagreement with his mother after he was asked to tend to their farm.

According to Kareithi, suicide is among the top 10 leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Nyeri with 80 cases of suicide being reported in the county in the months of April and May, while four cases of suicide are reported daily, and thus the urgent need to address the issue.

"The statistics are showing the trajectory we are taking is very worrying and even today, MCA for Konyu is coming from a funeral of a nine-year-old who committed suicide last week after a disagreement with his parent," said Kareithi.

He noted that among the major causes of suicide are as a result of job loss, grief, relationship breakups, alcoholism, and drug abuse, and betting.

The assembly wants the county health department to curb suicide cases by promoting county annual suicide prevention campaigns as well as addressing the stigma against the affected individuals.

They are also calling for the county to facilitate the integration of primary mental health care and also to commission research to determine the root cause of the rise in suicide cases in Nyeri county and implement a data system on suicide risk surveillance.

Nominated MCA Kareithi Wa Wambui. PHOTO/Loise Wambugu

County CEC for Health

He urged the County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Health to come up with a structure and ways to conduct public awareness in order to bring down suicide cases.

"Majority of people suffering from terminal illnesses such as HIV are opting to commit suicide for the fear that they will not be able to cater for their medical expenses as well as facing stigmatization.

"It is important that the health CEC comes up with ways to create public awareness in order to curb the menace," Kareithi said.

Endarasha/Mwiyogo ward MCA Christopher Mbichi said the most affected is the male gender, and therefore a program to entice men to open up when going through issues should be created.

"It is important to have enough psychologists to check on the mental wellness of individuals as many people are suffering in silence especially men who never speak up their issues only to end up taking away their lives," Mbichi said.

The assembly called for the establishment of help desks even in workplaces where psychologist can be visited at least once a month and those facing problems can seek help from them.

Nyeri County assembly speaker Gichuhi Mwangi noted that suicide cases are rampant and called upon the County government to utilize the available facilities such as the rehabilitation center at Ihururu in Tetu sub-county to address matter of mental health and also set aside funds to address the same.

"It is true suicide cases are rampant in the County and it is upon the County government to adopt the motion and look into ways which can help in curbing the rising suicide cases," he said.

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