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Experts: Present day crimes related to stress and depression

Most of the crimes today are correlated to depression and stress, and we are hoping that this facility will be an avenue to create awareness

By Anne Chebet, Bungoma

As the county continues to register a high prevalence of mental health issues, a group of community leaders and professionals have set up a wellness facility that will help address these issues.

One of the founders, Duncan Wandabwa, mentioned that the actualization of the program is a relief for the community, and members will be in a better position to manage mental challenges.

Wandabwa attributed the high cases of crime to unattended mental health issues and encouraged people to access the facility.

“Most of the crimes today are correlated to depression and stress, and we are hoping that this facility will be an avenue to create awareness,” he said

He revealed that the facility provides a home where members will get an environment to relax and share with other patients in a conducive environment.

“We will be able to accommodate people who will open up to other members about their issues. We will also have a psychiatrist so that we can refer members for professional help,” revealed the co-founder.

We are providing a home where people will come to both as a mental clinic and as a community center where they support each other

When asked why they refer to the facility as a home, Wandabwa said that the facility provides a safe space to members, giving them opportunities to share issues without stigma and discrimination.

Currently, the program has one sponsor, Kenneth Dudek, who believes the community-based organization will help people with serious mental health issues.

Bungoma Mental Wellness Centre

“We are providing a home where people will come to both as a mental clinic and as a community center where they support each other,” he said.

On funding, the recognized mental health leader revealed that he believes in sustainability and noted that local health links and other stakeholders would play key roles in supporting the program.

”We believe in sustainability, and we will bring enough resources, and we will engage other partners such as the county and national government to ensure the program is sustainable,” he mentioned.

Dudek said that the organization would work closely with mental health practitioners to ensure that the community accesses medication too.

We have educational and training programs that will target families, and by providing extra support such as employment, we will relieve families and enhance their ability to address mental health issues

“We are going to work with mental health practitioners so that we address these issues from the health and social perspectives,” revealed Dudek

Co-founders Phillip Wekesa(left) and Duncan Wandabwa (right)

He acknowledged that families provide useful support to their loved ones battling mental issues, affirming that the organization will fully incorporate the family unit.

“We have educational and training programs that will target families, and by providing extra support such as employment, we will relieve families and enhance their ability to address mental health issues,”

The program will be officially launched in January 2023. However, it is currently open to the community by referring them to the appropriate mental professionals.

The founders also look forward to rolling over the program to other counties in the future to maximize the outcome of the program.

Ends

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