Hon. Yusuf Farah Launches Sh56 Million Education Bursary as He Begins 3-Day Development Tour in Wajir West

 WAJIR, in the eyes of many, is a region plagued by droughts, poor drainage system, lack of of proper garbage and waste management, livestock diseases, unemployment, poor governance, corruption and indifference of political regimes. While many counties do indeed have to battle with such problems or are still scarred by them, many others are progressing and prospering at an impressive rate. 

Wajir in particular have the ability, know-how and potential to care for their population's well-being and human rights but with lack of political Will to care for their people who suffer from mental illness is a pipedream agenda/objective.

Drug abuse, natural phenomena, depression, unemployment,curse are some of the elements associated with madness.

There is a phrase that if you are mad go to wajeer - " Hadii aad walanta wajeer aad"  in layman. in this County there is rampant cases of mentally challenged people, every corner of the town or even in the outskirts and villages the rate is too high thus calling an intervention by all stakeholders- government, residents and  even the international community. 

Across Kenya in particularly our case in Wajir, we  are guilty of discriminating, marginalizing and violating people who suffer from mental disorders-  Sometimes a person’s own beliefs about mental illness can prevent them from acknowledging their condition, seeking help, or sticking with treatment. People may fear that family and friends will avoid them or treat them differently or that disclosing a mental health condition will lead to adverse treatment and perceptions at community level.

Name-calling like ''Nikii waalanay or nagtii waalnet', ridicule, and chastisement are the types of things that people with mental illnesses are facing, with the stigma devalues and disfavours people with mental health conditions and often prevents people from accessing treatment. 

The main barrier to prevent these violations is the stigma attached to the mental disorders in our tradition we believe that they are bad omen  -This perceptions has left huge percentage to suffer- it's obnoxious treatment to give these vulnerable individuals.

The stigma attached to mental illness sadly dissuades people from seeking treatment, leaving them alone and helpless with a limited hope of recover- They are attacked, tortured, chained or even disowned by their families.

in 2016, the current governor initiated psychiatric ward within the Wajir referral hospital that was a leeway but needs more approach- in terms of infrastructure and general aspect of provisions of better health services to mentally ill people.

Mental healthcare for people living in Wajir (North Eastern province) is inefficient, inadequate and inequitable. Due to high treatment costs, most young people in , this regions are left with no choice but to live with untreated mental disorders or to visit traditional or religious leaders for treatment- "The Quran Saar" but little on help.

 in line to bring down stigmatization,the  stereotypes the government, health institutions and professionals should not only work to change public attitudes but should also advocate the rights of people with mental disorders-They  should also be more proactive.

 They should set up proper channels to monitor human rights in psychiatric institutions and other healing centers and must take action whenever such institutions are harming rather than aiding patients. Such actions should not necessarily be met with reprimands. Better training of the workforce, encouraging enhanced support from families and communities and adequate investment in mental health are actions which should definitely be fastracked for better healthcare to the mentally challenged people in our county.

We must ensure that the number of people treated for mental illnesses is accurately recorded in the Health Management System. This will support policymakers in decision making including heath department when it comes to budget allocations 

As result of desperation causes we must advocate initiatives with the Ministry of Health to include people treated for depression in the health management system, the recognition of group talk therapy as a first-line treatment for depression and collaborating to contribute to the knowledge base on mental health by conducting research. 

The County Assembly should also come up with an Act to that highlights the plights of this people, an Act that gives hope, impose the County government to look into the mentally ill people,give a percentage of the Health budget allocation.

Finally, we have to continue to build the knowledge base around mental health signs and symptoms across the county- to enhance Civic education about the rights of this group in the society .

As society we should be humane enough to treat, give care and accept this vulnerable individuals who only want compassion, mercy and acceptance- we should see them as our brothers and sisters- provide physiology comfortability and concen especially giving clean water,food and shelter. Also to admit them in hospital. 

Let's take this collective responsibility of protecting this group or intervene whenever their rights are violated.