From Stigma to Strength: My Journey with Mental Health Awareness

As I turn twenty-one this Sunday, I reflect on the lessons I’ve learned over the years. One key insight is that mental health is crucial for everyone, regardless of gender, age, or background. Sadly, Kenya has not made significant progress in fostering emotional intelligence from a young age. Boys are often told never to cry, while girls are shamed for their menstrual cycles. Gender stereotypes significantly impact young people’s mental health.

The added burdens of the cost of living, work, school, and heavy expectations as parents, partners, friends, children, or relatives create an overwhelming load. However, my focus is on those of us in our twenties. These years can dramatically alter one’s life trajectory. Young adults face immense pressure from all sides: themselves, society, family, partners, school, and work. Some argue that self-imposed pressure can be mitigated, but this ties back to emotional intelligence and mental health awareness, which are crucial in addressing this broader issue.

It regularly takes a long time for individuals to realize the importance of mental health internally. This realization doesn’t come easily or quickly. It is a gradual process of understanding oneself and the impact of external pressures. The stigma surrounding mental health only makes this journey harder. In Kenya, mental health is often misunderstood and ignored. It is perceived as a sign of weakness or madness. This harmful perception prevents people from seeking help and discussing their struggles openly. It is essential to change this narrative and promote mental health awareness, especially among the youth, who are at a critical juncture in their lives.

The added burdens of the cost of living, work, school, and heavy expectations as parents, partners, friends, children, or relatives create an overwhelming load.

A Hedonistic and Eudaemonic Lifestyle

A hedonistic lifestyle is defined by the pursuit of maximum pleasure. It is grounded in the belief that enjoyment is life’s ultimate goal. Instant gratification at every turn—does this not reflect much of our daily existence? Alcoholism and smoking are commonplace, with clubbing, orgies, and parties being the ‘in’ thing. Social media glorifies vice, and people boast about it. We all scroll, chasing dopamine hits from likes and comments. Evil deeds for fame or money are rampant. Fast, processed foods, unheard of 30 years ago, dominate our diets. The internet, a vast tool, offers anything to anyone who knows how and where to look.

The trauma, loss, betrayal, injustice, disease, and confusion we all encounter in life can be overwhelming. Paired with our diverse personalities and varying thresholds, it becomes evident how deeply we need each other. We require someone to listen and acknowledge our pain to help us stay sane. In turn, we can recognize and address signs of sadness, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, suicide, and self-harm in others. An eudaemonic lifestyle emphasizes living a life of contemplation and virtue. It strives for human excellence and the realization of one’s potential. This philosophy, rooted in Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, resonates deeply with me. I discovered it through a therapy video by Dr. Alok Kanojia, an American psychiatrist and co-founder of Healthy Gamer.

My First Therapy Session

I once stayed at a halfway house, a transitional living space for sober individuals who have completed addiction treatment or served time in prison. There, I heard powerful testimonies and had my first therapy session, which my father suggested. Although I only went once, I learned a lot. My interest in therapy grew further thanks to a good long-time friend, an aspiring psychologist named Miss Kendi. She became my unofficial therapist, offering numerous sessions that helped me through tough times and taught me much about the mind and me. Dr. Kanojia’s videos have also been invaluable. For example, he discusses how societal norms often pressure men to confront and solve their problems independently.

This is rather than seeking emotional support or awareness. My recent long-term relationship ended mutually, teaching me the profound value of confiding in and trusting a companion. The security and peace of knowing someone has your back and is willing to listen are priceless. It’s a beautiful experience. Trust can be daunting, but we trust God every day, and He never fails us, even if we don’t see it at the moment. Someone once said every ending is a beginning, even if we can’t recognize it right away.

Create More Awareness, Reduce Stigma

In the pursuit of righteousness, the path is narrow and challenging. While we may not be as progressive as the West, where mental health is addressed even in prisons, we still have our faith to sustain us.

I strongly believe we must work harder to eliminate the stigma of mental health being associated with “craziness” in Kenya.

This awareness can help everyone, including those without medical training, recognize and assist people with mental health disorders. It can make a difference whether someone is at a bus stop or in a restaurant. Teaching young students to check on their peers, especially orphans with no one to lean on, is crucial. It can help reduce suicides, particularly among men, as 50% of male suicide cases involve individuals with no prior history of mental health issues—a truly alarming statistic.

I strongly believe we must work harder to eliminate the stigma of mental health being associated with “craziness” in Kenya. Children, even as young as toddlers, should be taught about their minds. They need to understand the impact of words, feelings, and actions on their minds, bodies, souls, and the world around them. This education is invaluable in raising mature adults who don’t crumble over minor issues and throw away their lives.

Moreover, this approach can potentially reduce the number of deranged predators who prey on young girls in universities. It can help catch and stop them before they commit unforgivable acts. It can also play a significant role in combating the substance abuse epidemic.