MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS DAY MARKED
Nandi joined the rest of the world to celebrate the World Mental Health Day at Meteitei Sub County Hospital under the theme, “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right.”
Speaking during the event, the CEC Member for Health and Sanitation Ruth Koech observed that mental health is a big challenge in our society and has led to marriages breaking down, financial stress in families as children are faced with school fees challenges and families are faced with the challenges of paying rent and other family bills.
CEC Member for Health and Sanitation, Ruth Koech, addresses the audience, highlighting the pressing issue of mental health and its impact on families, education, and finances during the event.
She noted that there cannot be health without mental health. All paths lead to mental health.
“Nobody is immune to mental health issues, all of us can develop mental health problems,” she said.
A section of county psychiatry team counseling members of the public in attendance.
County psychiatrist Joshua Tiparo, said that mental health is caused by social factors like a person struggling to fit in a society.
“We envision a county in which mental health is valued, promoted and protected; where everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy mental health and to exercise their human rights; and where everyone can access the mental health care they need,” he said.
Tiparo called on Nandi residents to utilize mental services being offered at the county hospitals.
Free legal aid was also offered at the event by the County Legal Officer Ms Maureen.
County Legal Officer Ms. Maureen provides free legal aid at the event, ensuring legal knowledge for those in need.