Nurses working in the mental health care system from across the country are gathered in Nanyuki Town, Laikipia County, for their annual Scientific Conference that aims at reducing the rising burden of mental disorders.
The three-day conference comes at a time when there is a growing concern over the rise of psychiatric conditions, most of which pass undetected, with end results being suicides, femicide, sexual and gender-based violence, drug and substance abuse and family breakups, among other social vices.
On the first day, the participants, who were joined by Laikipia Deputy Governor Reuben Kamuri, held a procession in Nanyuki Town to raise awareness on the importance of seeking timely medical support when faced with challenges that often lead to mental disorders.
“This conference will guide us on what provisions that are available and we can embrace in addressing mental health issues in our country, which are surging in a very alarming rate,” said the deputy governor.
Under the theme Integrating Innovations into Mental Health Care for a Resilient Future, the conference held under the umbrella of Mental Health Nurses’ Chapter brings together experts from the mental health professions and county and national government representatives to share experiences, existing challenges and opportunities from across the country.
“We know the prevalence of mental health disorders is on the increase and hence we need to prepare as a country for our future. This can only be possible if we create resilience in our health care systems among the patients, the communities and health care providers; everyone is affected in one way or another,” said Simon Githui, mental health expert from the Mental Health Nurses’ Chapter.
Githui revealed that at the conference that ends on Friday various research findings will be presented, including one on the effects of climate change on mental health, the status of mental health among adolescents and youth and suicide risk assessment among cancer patients.
“We will have research topics presented where we will analyse the interlink between climate change and mental health and medical diseases and also learn about suicides since recently we have had many cases of suicides,” said Githui.
By Muturi Mwangi
