Nyeri: Cultivating cordial and strong family ties has been cited as a critical social pillar in addressing rising cases of mental illnesses in Nyeri County. Nyeri County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi says some of the mental health issues affecting residents of the area could have been avoided if the victims had families where they could run to and find help when they were at their lowest ebb. He also linked the emerging trend of frustrations to unresolved domestic issues and debts from shylock loans, owing to hard economic times.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mwiwawi expressed concerns over increasing mental health challenges, attributing them to weak family structures. He emphasized the necessity for families to invest in building stronger ties to combat mental frustrations that are not necessarily addressed by professional counseling. Mwiwawi also pointed to the proliferation of cheap liquor and prescription drugs as exacerbating factors for mental health issues in Nyeri.
The county commissioner called for a collective effort from the community to address the mental health crisis, highlighting the alarming rate of suicides, particularly among men. Within the last 10 months, close to 100 suicides have been reported, with many individuals turning to drugs or struggling to cope with debts. Mwiwawi noted that issues such as failed financial agreements and shylock loans contribute to suicidal tendencies and the spread of non-communicable diseases.
In his efforts to combat the crisis, Mwiwawi has publicly urged men to seek help, revealing that Nyeri was recording one suicide case daily, predominantly affecting men. Areas such as Kieni East, Kieni West, and Mukurwe-ini have been identified as the most affected, prompting the commissioner's office to prioritize the issue.
While appreciating the collaboration between security agents and local leaders in combating illicit brews and drug proliferation, Mwiwawi acknowledged that more needs to be done to tackle the root causes. He stressed the importance of building strong evidence against suspects to ensure convictions and deter future involvement in illegal activities. Mwiwawi highlighted the need for improved strategies in profiling notorious dealers to strengthen legal actions and prevent their return to the streets.