An health organization identified as “Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya (BNBR Kenya) commemorated its 20 years of existence in style in Bungoma County.
The mental wellness awareness celebration took place at Chesikaki special school in Mt.Elgon and which was attended by different stakeholders.
The organization is a registered NGO focused on providing mental health initiatives and community based support.
They operate in collaboration with the ministry of health in Kenya to offer person centered care for individuals with mental health conditions, focusing on recovery, rights based approaches and improving mental health literacy to reduce stigma.
BNBR Kenya trains Community Health Promoters in dealing with the mental health services to coffee farmers especially in parts of Cheptais Sub County.
Basic Needs which has existed in Bungoma County for the last 8 years also supports outreach services and general health checks.
Health and Sanitation CECM CPA Chrispinus Barasa was represented by Mr. Aaron Lambisia the Coordinator of rehabilitative and mainstreaming services who pointed out that Mental health is a problem which faces the whole community and which must be dealt with accordingly to reduce it’s cases.
The CECM hailed the organization for playing a crucial role in dealing with mental health issues.
“It is important to understand and treat the mental health which affects many youth, while at the same time we will continue to offer our support as a department,” he said.
He emphasized that Health workers do repetitive work on daily basis which affects them both mentally and emotionally.
He noted that they need to time to release the stress through team building activities, changing of their routine behaviour which will aligned them properly to change the results.
Lambisia appreciated the organization for the synergy they have in dealing with mental health cases and handling the issues which have long affected the society.
“People are no longer stigmatized because they are treated and allowed to integrate with their families, this is the way to go,” he stated.
Basic Needs Basic Rights outgoing chairman Allan Oginga pointed out that they are not only sensitizing, treating but also educating the community about the mental health issues.
The organization founder Chris Underhill said that this is an important month because the World is marking the Global mental month.
The new board Chairman Dr.Bonface Chitayi said that all health facilities in Kenya are offering mental health treatment away from only Mathari mental unity.
