World Suicide Prevention day

Today I want to honour the young people who have died by suicide in #chepkunyuktheplaceofwonders. I find myself having a memory of our young neighbour family friend. His dad and brothers were my friends. That tree, whenever we pass by it sometimes and often it is conversations about suicide. It is a deep reminder of the awareness of pain and extent of mental health challenges.

I can see the impact of colonial trauma and the lacking acknowledgement in what is within us to do. Thank you Hon. Dr. Tecla Tum for thinking about a mental health and wellness project while serving as a women rep for Nandi county.

I hope that leadership continues to incorporate this in community solutions. There is so much talk about infrastructure, such as roads, schools etc and not much on the human being behind it. Our wellbeing and especially that part that affects our behaviour, thinking, feeling and perceptions is a key investment. It will greatly impact the infrastructure too. Don’t get me wrong we do need that infrastructure and we know for a fact poverty too is a big contributor to mental health challenges.

I hope therefore that there are more voices that allow us to really grant space for wellbeing.

Apparently the best way to care for our loved ones is to first care for ourselves. If we can all remind one another here and there. Maybe ask some empathic questions like ‘ how was your sleep’ or maybe a greeting.

Actually the Nandi greeting happens to be that reminder. When I say Chamgei and you respond Chamgei we remind eavh other to love thyself.

As #worldsuicidepreventionday is being marked, I extend my warmest of thoughts to all who have lost their loved ones to suicide. I hope you keep experiencing healing and growing in resilience.

For those in the struggle. My warmest thought, I hope in moments of pain you find a light of hope. May you heal through the pain.

And for us all I pray we all experience wellbeing.