- The residential association was started in 2012.
- It holds safe spaces, fun days and bonding sessions to make the estate lively and a go-to for investment and residence.
- Their recent safe space handled anxiety disorder.
Mental Health Awareness is observed yearly in every month of May.
While it is an everyday conversation, May is a time to raise awareness of and reduce the stigma surrounding behavioral health issues, as well as highlight the ways in which mental illness can affect all of us—patients, care providers, families and our society at large.
So what are you doing to observe Mental Health Awareness Month?
According to research by the Kenya National Commission of Human Rights, between 25 and 40 percent of outpatients and inpatients suffer from mental health conditions.
The most frequent diagnoses of mental illnesses in a general hospital setting are depression, substance abuse, stress, and anxiety disorder.
While mental health is an issue that can go easily unnoticed or ignored, many people are not aware that their spouses, children and friends are deeply suffering and need help.
It’s until when one commits suicide that the alarm is raised.
Taking action
Recently, Kilimani Project Foundation held a safe space to create awareness, with a focus on Unpackaging Anxiety Disorder.
The foundation was started in 2012 and officially established in 2013, with the purpose of providing a platform for Kilimani residents and business owners to give ideas on how they want the place to run.
It is a residential association making Kilimani a neighborhood of choice to live, work, invest and play at.
On May 10, 2023, Kilimani Project Foundation held a safe space on Mental Health Awareness themed Unpackaging Anxiety Disorder.
The Executive Director of the foundation, Wanjiru Kanyiha, gave a brief history of the Mental Awareness program that has been running since 2020.
The space was graced by the presence of four panelists, Dr. Gordon Ambayo, a consultant psychiatrist, a lecturer and chairperson of the Department of Psychiatrists at the Kenya Methodist University; Wariimi Karingi the Founder and CEO of Let’s Go Mental Kenya, who has lived with severe depression and anxiety disorder for eight years;
Edgar Odhiambo, a Public Policy Analyst with a passion for change, wellness and people living authentically, a Podcaster and Mental Health Advocate who is battling anxiety disorder; and Wanjiku Manyara, an Advocacy Lead at Kimbilio Community, Partner of Kilimani Project Foundation, Certified Mental Health Champion and the moderator of the safe space, were there.
Ms. Manyara, the moderator, started by sharing the Mental Health Anthem:
“To think twice about ones behavior. To look twice and to look to which the eye can’t see once or at a quick glance. To listen twice, to listen to understand not to respond, and to speak once, words that are uplifting, positive and supportive.”
She then passed the ball to Dr. Ambayo, who defined all about anxiety.
Defining anxiety
“Anxiety is a feeling of fear and worry. It can be normal anxiety, a response to a known problem like an upcoming examination or abnormal anxiety which is considered a disorder.
It is characterized by a feeling of fear or worry that is strong, and it results in interference with one’s daily activities or out of proportion to the impact of the triggering effect,” Dr. Ambayo explained.
The types of anxiety are: general anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks anxiety, separation anxiety, and post-traumatic anxiety.
Symptoms
According to Dr. Ambayo, the symptoms might vary from one type of anxiety to another.
However, the general ones are fear, apprehension, unrealistic ideas that one is in danger or alertness to the environment, poor concentration, and lack of sleep (where initiating sleep is a problem).
On the other hand are those who are awake earlier than intended at night, which is a sign of depression.
Testimonies
Odhiambo and Ms. Karingi, who live with anxiety, told their story of what it is like to live with anxiety.
“For me, anxiety is a monster in my life,” Ms. Karingi explains.
She has lived with anxiety for eight years, making it even hard for her to drive.
The anticipation of something bad happening to her send shivers up her spine. But her journey is not young; it started in her childhood.
“I grew up in a dysfunctional family. I was the first-born and growing up, my father used to beat me so much, more than he did to everyone else. From the age of 15, the abuse escalated.
I would always expect the worst from him. From when I was handing my report book to the smallest things that had me face him. In adulthood, job loss and lost investments are things that attributed to my anxiety,” Ms. Karingi shares.
The popular saying that “It doesn’t get easier, we just become stronger,” is the hard pill to swallow in life.
It is a shock that most stories begin from the basic unit of love, which is family.
“Anxiety disrupts my day-to-day life. I am unable to focus or get out of the house; I get restless and sweaty, and my mind races.
My normal functioning is cut short; I would have a meeting at 10 a.m., wake at 5 a.m., by 8 a.m. I am ready, but when I’m just about to leave, I start thinking of how I would get an accident on my way or the meeting will fail and that is it. My functioning is cut short,” Odhiambo shares.
He recounts that during his growing up, his parents criticized everything he did and showed displeasure with him.
While their stories help us understand anxiety, parenting is greatly brought to the limelight.
It speaks to all ears of the power of upbringing and begs the question, how are we raising our children? Are we building or killing the future generation?
Combating the condition
Dr. Ambayo, a consultant psychiatrist, explains, “Causes of anxiety are genetic components, stress in work/marriage or environment one is in, Neuro transmitters and post-traumatic stress like abuse, rape accidents and loss.”
He then went ahead to speak of intervention ways, including psychotherapy and medication.
The therapy comes in two forms, cognitive therapy, which is the distortion of thinking that requires restructuring, and exposure therapy, which requires one to be exposed to what leads them to anxiety.
“I’m on medication and therapy,” Ms. Karingi said, adding, “I also do breathing exercises and workout that work for me well. I avoid coffee, energy drinks, and alcohol.”
Odhiambo also said that he is on therapy and medication and that he has quit alcohol for four years now.
They both shared common points that while under an anxiety attack, physical touch, hugging/being held tightly, reassurance that everything is going to be well, and destructive conversations worked for them.
Concerns
“Should little ones who are anxious get psychiatrist evaluation first?” asked a participant, with another enquiring if therapy can be prevented.
“Children under 14 years should start with therapy, from age 15 years an assessment should be done first.
To prevent anxiety, avoiding coffee and other caffeinated drinks, energy drinks and alcohol is vital. Commit to exercises and take breaks from social media. Stop phobia for psychiatrists,” Dr. Ambayo advised.
Wanjiru Kanyiha, Executive Director, Kilimani Project Foundation, thanked the participants for being part of the safe space and the panelists for the educative session and also invited everyone to the Mental Health Awareness Family Fun Day.
The Kilimani Mental Health Awareness Family Fun Day, full of games and bonding sessions, is slotted for Saturday, May 27, 2023, starting at 10 a.m. at Kiota School, Kasuku Lane, Kilimani.
The games and activities for the day include: a soccer tournament (5 aside), basketball, chess, and darts.
YOU CAN ALSO READ: Jane’s call of destiny, compassion and how she’s saving lives
If you wish to compete in the games for the day, please fill in the form https://rb.gy/r0ql4.
Registration closes on Monday, May 22, 2023. For more information, contact the organizers at info@kilimani.org or 0780197197.
