AMPATH Partners Mark World Mental Health Day
AMPATH's Afya ya Akili Mashinani (community mental health) program joined the Department of Mental Health at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) to commemorate World Mental Health Day with a community walk and awareness event and staff wellness program.
Every year on 10th October, people around the world work to raise awareness of mental health issues and mobilize efforts to support mental health. This year's theme was “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right.”
To mark the day, the MTRH Management led by Matthews Birgen, (Director of Finance, representing MTRH CEO Dr. Wilson K. Aruasa, MBS, EBS), and the Mental Health and Rehabilitative Services Directorate held a 10km walk in Eldoret City. Participants made strategic stops within the town to raise awareness on mental health issues.
Despite being a universal human right, community access to mental health care remains suboptimal.
In many African communities, cultural beliefs influence knowledge and attitudes towards mental health issues. People with mental health challenges may experience torture and inhumane treatment, including stigma and neglect of their social, economic and health needs. This often prevents individuals from seeking help and treatment.
Speaking during the event, Dr. Robina Momanyi, a consultant psychiatrist working at MTRH, cautioned that stigma continues to be a significant barrier for people living with mental illness and encouraged residents to seek help, "Mental illnesses may affect any of us just like any other condition. It is not a curse, a spiritual problem or a choice you make. Therefore, we need medical intervention before things get out of control."
Dr. Momanyi also warned against drug use and abuse, especially among youth, which can be a contributor to mental illnesses. She encouraged the community to support those with mental health challenges.
"Drug abuse is a significant concern for us, and more people, especially the youth, are getting addicted to many substances while trying to escape the realities of life. We must find healthy ways for recreational time and seek help and counseling when stressed or depressed, as drug use doesn't solve these problems."
After the walk, the hospital staff convened to launch a mental health support program. The program dubbed SWEET (Supporting Wellness Engaging Exercises Together) is an exciting initiative aimed at promoting the health and wellbeing of staff.
The program is designed to instill a culture of wellness, emphasizing the importance of proper nutrition and regular exercise in the daily lives of staff who may concentrate on taking care of others at the expense of their own mental wellbeing. The SWEET team demonstrated that exercise is important through engaging all participants in invigorating aerobics and basic exercises. They showed that exercise can be both beneficial and enjoyable.
There was a fitness assessment area where participants had the opportunity to have their vital signs and BMI (Body Mass Index) measured. This was aimed at increasing awareness on the importance of regular wellness checks and monitoring one's health status. Wellness was encouraged as a lifestyle.
With support from the Astellas Global Health Foundation, AMPATH's community mental health program has developed and integrated mental health services to increase access to quality mental health care. The program empowers patients with mental health disorders to lead productive and independent lives through the MTRH Nawiri Recovery and Skills Centre. In addition, the program conducts community and school outreaches to educate the public on mental health and alcohol and drug abuse. The program has also established community-based substance use treatment groups whose goal is to increase access to substance use treatment in the community.
