Mount Kenya University (MKU) has invested heavily in mental health and counseling programmes to boost the well-being of students, lecturers and staff in the university, Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi has said.
He noted that the university has eight counsellors as well as trained volunteers and peer counsellors from the departments, making a total of about 400 at Thika campus alone.
“Additionally, our campuses have over 100 trained peer counsellors. All of them work together with the Chaplains, Associate Deans and the office of the Dean of Students,” he added.
Speaking during a youth forum dubbed Sikika Youth Fest held at MKU’s Mwai Kibaki Convention Centre in Thika town over the weekend, the VC said that last year the university hosted a mental health programme, sponsored by UNESCO regional office, which supported and trained students and the youth in Thika town.
The forum brought together students from various institutions under the theme sikika, tubonge, tusifiche.
In a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration, Planning and Institutional Advancement) Dr. Peter Kirira, Prof. Jaganyi thanked MKU partners who had sponsored the forum including the Second Lady Pastor Dr. Dorcas Rigathi, who was the Chief Guest.
“MKU takes mental health and counselling matters very seriously especially among the students,” he said.
The varsity Pro-Chancellor Dr. Vincent Gaitho said any sickness or challenge leads to mental agony and psychological depression.
“To a country like Kenya and our local communities which are losing so many lives especially the youth due to suicide and homicide as a result of mental-related challenges, the significance of this forum cannot be over emphasized,” he said.
At a national level, matters of health are reflected on the Kenya Vision 2030’s social pillar. Likewise, good health and well-being are anchored on sustainable development goal number three of the United Nations, whose target is broad-based to include fighting of substances and drug abuse as well as harmful use of alcohol.
“MKU’s effort in supporting SDGs 2030 led United Nations Academic Impact Office in New York to award MKU with an opportunity to serve as the SDG10 hub on Reduced Inequalities for a period of three years ending 2024,” Dr Gaitho said.
He said the MKU College of Health Sciences is a further input by MKU on matters health and requested the programme partners to undertake mental health awareness campaigns every year for the good and well-being of the youth in local communities.
Pastor Dorcas Gachagua urged Kenyans not to stigmatize those suffering from mental illnesses, particularly the youth in colleges and universities.
She also expressed concerns over the increased cases of mental health and depression within institutions of higher learning.
Pastor Dorcas called on institutions of higher learning to create dedicated offices to tackle mental health challenges.
“I look forward to when every university will have a dean and counselors to speak to our students, where students can get some help. We are starting to demystify mental illness so that those suffering can have the courage to talk,” she said.
She shared her story on suicidal thoughts back in her Kenyatta University days. She had contemplated suicide when a gas cylinder she had bought for her mother exploded leading to regrets.
MKU co-founder Dr. Jane Nyutu also expressed concerns over the youth suffering from mental disorders and depression, noting that many are getting into such due to peer pressure.
“We have the culture of ‘sponsorship’ that has rendered our youth desperate, not forgetting the celebrity culture, many want to live like people they see on social media,” she said, urging the youth to consume social media content wisely.
By James Wakahiu
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