Capacity building in Psychological first aid encourgaed

Mental health care should be given more attention, according to Dr. Jackson Kioko who was speaking during the World Mental Health Day commemoration at Kenyatta National Hospital. The Director of Medical Services said there should be more investments in mental health care, something which has been neglected. The challenges mental health patients face were outlined, and they include challenges like being misdiagnosed, social economic depravity, loss of dignity, vulnerability, and discrimination in the society.

One in four adults will experience mental health difficulties at one time or the other but many will receive little or no help when they are in an emergency situation. This is the reason the theme for the World Health Day 2016 is ‘Psychological and mental health first aid.’

According to Dr. Kioko, if families and communities are equipped with skills for competent screening, brief interventions, and care for persons with psychological, neurological and substance use disorders, it will help to reduce stigma and improve the lives of people affected. It’s estimated that 20-40% of patients seen in primary care have one or more psychological disorders. He said this enormous burden to the healthcare system and socioeconomic development puts mental health into sharp focus and the time to act is now. “Nobody is immune to psychological disorders which may affect anyone including you, we should unite to fight the predicament,” said Dr. Kioko.