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Nairobi County Assembly has passed a motion asking Nairobi County Government and Nairobi Metropolitan Services to develop a county Mental policy to address both mental disorders and broader issues that promote mental health.
The motion requires that programmes and more strategies are put in place to promote mental health in the county.
According to the mover of the motion, Hon Mark Mugambi who is the MCA for Umoja 1 many citizens undergo mental depression and end up killing themselves or even their family members. The effects seem to be exacerbated by the covid-19 pandemic. This is because many people have lost a lot jobs and they still have families and responsibilities to be taken care of.
“There have been many killings in the recent past because of mental illness. Especially during this period that the covid-19 pandemic has destroyed the economy. People are killing their families after they are jilted. When people lose jobs some end up committing suicide,” said Mugambi.
The cost of getting services for mental illness in private hospitals is normally higher and not all people can afford it. That’s why the MCA is advocating for the building of the Centre’s to be built. The only hospital that caters for the mental problems and it is normally at adverse stages is the Mathari National Mental Referral Hospital. Igambi says that before the situation gets that worse for Mathari, the patients can be taken care of at the centres.
“For a person to be taken to Mathari, the case is normally at the adverse stage. They can be taken care before the situation gets out of hand at the centres,” added Mugambi.
The passing of the motion comes in handy a day before the celebration of the World Suicide Prevention Day which is celebrated on 10th of September every year. Mugambi has urged people not to neglect those in depression but talk to them.