BUSIA COUNTY TRAINS STAFF ON MENTAL HEALTH
The County Government of Busia has reaffirmed its commitment to improve mental health in the County for the benefit of residents.
The Chief Officer in the Department of Health and Sanitation, Jonathan Ino said that mental health is a critical component that will be factored in the budget to manage depression cases.
“We will capture it in the supplementary budget to take care of the issues related to mental health,” said Ino, during the opening of a five-day training for the healthcare workers among them nurses on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support at the Chef West hotel in Busia town.
He noted that many people are suffering from depression triggered by various problems among them the economic crisis, adding that the actualization of the Facility Improvement Fund (FIF) will cater for arising issues in health facilities.
The Chief Officer further reiterated the need for locals to preach peace during the electioneering period, underscoring the importance of candidates vying for various political positions to sell their manifesto instead of insulting others.
The Division of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (MoH) representative Jacqueline Aloo said that the capacity building targets to ensure that the workers are able to support themselves during crisis.
She said that many of the health personnel who were the front-line soldiers in the fight against Covid-19 went through mental health stress, adding that there is need to have a wellness team from within the County.
The training is being conducted by the Ministry of Health (MoH) in collaboration with the Busia Department of Health and Sanitation.
Globally, depression is the fourth leading cause of illness and disability. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in 15-19 years old.
Also present was the Busia mental health focal person Alfred Odiga and the County Chief nurse Tito Kwena.
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