By Andrew Walyaula
Even as the government scrupulously focuses on restoring unrest in advanced levels, alarm has been raised over the inaudibly anguishing scholars in institutions of higher learning.
It has been probed that many students die mutely with depression, a situation that has provoked debate on how to handle mental illness in tertiary institutions.
Jane, not her real name, a student at Kenyatta University told Education News that other than having academic problems, her biggest monster is her social-economic condition.
“I find it hard to cope with my friends because of my family background. We are poor and most of students live classy lives that I can’t afford,” the student said.
She revealed that having a single meal a day is a great achievement and that she resorts to substances like marijuana and alcohol to keep her relaxed.
“Sometimes I have suicidal thoughts,” she revealed.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), mental disorders have different presentations. They are generally characterized by a combination of abnormal thoughts, emotions, perceptions, relationship with others and behavior. Mental disorders include bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, dementia and developmental disorders such as autism.
Dr. Baber Chacha, an author, researcher and lecturer at Laikipia University says the issue of mental health in institutions should be looked into to save the lives of learners.
“It is unfortunate that even counseling departments do not bother to detect or think about mental illness among students. All they do is treat conventional diseases,” Dr. Chacha observes.
He adds that the ignorance of the institution to address the condition badly impacts the lives of young scholars, who end up in dubious behaviors.
Seemingly, as students move to a new environment away from family and friends, adapting to a new environment becomes a hurdle.
“Making new friends is not an easy task. We encounter people we don’t know and this affects how we unveil innermost information about ourselves,” Dr. Chacha explains.
He added that the best way to eradicate the problem is through creating awareness about the condition
‘Once awareness is established, many students will seek treatment,’ he said.
Dr. David E .Bukusi, probes that substance use is key in establishing when someone is having mental disorder.
In the recent years, there has been a surge in drug use among university students. A report by NACADA revealed that there was a high prevalence of substance use among university students with about 60% being involved.
Mr. Indindi Henry, an author and a communication lecturer at Laikipia University says that despite teaching students communication skills, which is a basic unit, many do it best on paper than in real life.
He ascertains that there are a huge number of scholars who are mentally ill but they cannot come out.
‘The government should enhance mental health strategies particularly in institutions of higher learning as was proposed in the senate on 24 February 2021 by Senator Sylvia Kasinga.
Kasinga emphasized on the need to develop comprehensive policy on mental health and the need to have robust conversation concerning the same.
This comes after President Uhuru Kenyatta last year ordered the Ministry of Health to establish a task force to dig deep into mental health issues.
WHO’s Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020 recognizes the critical role of mental health amid the process of achieving health for all people.
More effective leadership and governance for mental health is one of the objectives of the plan. In universities, this can be achieved by having in place leadership which will ensure the well-being of students’ mental health.
The second objective of providing comprehensive, integrated mental health and social care services can be achieved through establishing bodies and identifying experts in the field of mental health to offer a social solution to the problem that students encounter.
The most important thing to note is that prevention is key and it calls for strengthened information and research.
