Mental illnesses have been cited as a pandemic that is plaguing the country of bright, innovative and talented youths.

The most affected, according to players in the education sector, are students in higher learning and tertiary institutions as well as those who just completed their secondary school education.

Mental issues, stakeholders say have been resulting in alarming cases of suicide, violence, mental disorders and killings involving young people in Universities and colleges.

This, they say, is a ticking time bomb that requires serious attention and a multi-sectoral approach to deal with.

Speaking at a career fair at Zetech University in Ruiru, Kiambu County during a career day, the stakeholders stated that time is ripe for enhancement of awareness and adoption of deliberate measures to deal with the mental health scourge in the country.

“We cannot wait any further to witness mental ailments shuttering dreams and leaving tens of students with life-threatening wounds. We have a duty to urgently rise to the occasion and collaboratively endeavor to save our young people from perishing,” Veronica Kamau, a stakeholder who is also an educationist, told journalists.

Kamau pointed out that both the county and national government, institutions of higher learning, NGOs and other organizations should join hands to create awareness as well as invest in counseling and mentorship so as to win the war against mental issues.

While noting that mental issues are no longer associated with old age, the educationist urged the young people to seek help from counselors as well as mentors by confiding in them the issues they are facing, noting that this will help them overcome and save them from sinking into depression.

“It is also important for universities and colleges to put in place measures and facilities to help address mental challenges facing students,” she added.

Dr. Henry Kiogora, a head of a department at Zetech University revealed that the private institution has put in place structures that promote good health and well-being of its students, staff and members of the community.

“Our institution has established a fully-fledged student welfare department and a counseling faculty that is well structured and supported. We also have programs to help, offer individualized counseling, peer counseling and referral-collaboration with mental health professionals,” he said.

He challenged parents to handle their parenting mantle with seriousness saying that most parents have back-tracked on their duties and hence the reason why their children are sinking to social ills.

Students interviewed at the institution led by Elvis Ombuki, a Computer Science scholar said that most of them, especially those who hail from humble backgrounds, easily become victims of mental issues due to a myriad of challenges including financial hiccups.

“Sometimes those suffering lack courage to open up their issues or disclose their predicaments for help. They end up sinking into depression and turn to alcohol or drugs for comfort,” said Ombuki.

Ends………/

Please follow and like us: