Government urged to prioritize mental health in disaster response

BY RITA MUTHONI

Psychiatrists in Embu County have urged the national and county governments to prioritize mental health support for flood victims as part of their disaster response efforts.

The plea follows recent floods that claimed over a hundred lives in Kenya, leaving many residents grieving the loss of their loved ones.

Led by psychotherapist Prof. Jane Wanjiru Mugai, they said unexpected natural calamities often leave victims traumatized, making it difficult for them to move forward with their lives.

Mugai stressed the importance of offering counseling services to flood victims to help them cope with the trauma.

“It is very traumatizing for victims of such unexpected natural calamities to move on with life without undergoing counseling,” Mugai said.

She emphasized the need to engage qualified counselors to provide specialized counseling tailored to the needs of individuals who have experienced traumatic events.

Mungai noted that different traumatizing situations require different approaches to counseling.

“There are many organizations that provide professional counselors in Kenya. Such organizations should be engaged when crises occur,” Mugai further stated.

She urged the government to ensure enough trained counselors are available to provide such support during this period.

Echoing her sentiments, Dr. Julius Njue, a counselor and lecturer at Chuka University, highlighted the increasing mental health issues in Kenya, attributing the trend to challenging socio-economic conditions.

“Unfortunately, these harsh situations are happening at a time when some Kenyans lack money, have family conflicts, or are separated,” he added.

Njue urged those experiencing psychological stress not to resort to drugs or suicidal thoughts but instead seek guidance from counselors.

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