Kenya stands at a critical moment in its mental-health journey. As the country takes steps toward recognising suicide as a public-health issue rather than a criminal offence, it is essential that Parliament passes the proposed amendment to the Penal Code. Decriminalising suicide attempts is not just a legal reform — it is a humane, scientific, and socially responsible shift that will save lives. For decades, people who attempted suicide were treated as offenders instead of patients in crisis. This approach has proven ineffective and harmful. Criminalisation creates fear, fuels stigma, and drives individuals away from seeking help. Many Kenyans suffer…
Author: By Dr Catherine Syengo Mutisya
We are now increasingly realising that many of the moving stories gaining strong traction on social media are increasingly displaying symptoms of wounded individuals that are evidently informed by rooted unmet emotional needs or maladaptive patterns shaped during early development At the same time, Generation Z, who grew up with the internet, social media and smartphones and whose parents are very busy in their careers, have joined the workplace market and the social media arena in full swing. In addition, some of the Generation Alpha who have never known a world without digital devices are slowly finding themselves on social…
A woman medidating in the office. [Courtesy/GettyImages] On October 10, Kenya joined the World Mental Health Day commemoration. Across the country, there were various events, social media platforms were abuzz with pictures and clips highlighting the day. The mainstream media, too, emphasised the importance of the day with stories and discussions. The campaign focusing on the urgent need to support the mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by humanitarian emergencies resonated deeply. But as a psychiatrist working on the frontlines, I must ask; what happens after the banners come down? We have made progress in reducing stigma resulting…