MTRH Marks World Suicide Prevention Day

Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital marked 10th September 2023 World Suicide Prevention Day.

The event graced by National Assembly Deputy Speaker and Uasin Gishu Women Representative Hon. Gladys Boss Shollei was done through Sensitization walk through several streets of Eldoret Town.

In Her statement, Hon Shollei appreciated MTRH for its work in Mental Health awareness, treatment, and management.

She lauded MTRH Management for setting up Nawiri Skills and Recovery Centre, A transitional Home for Mental Health patients. Nawiri Recovery is a home for the reintegration of recovering patients back into society being productive and self-dependent members of society.

To take the Mental wellness message nationally, Shollei promised to continue being an advocate for Mental health wellness within the country’s security service men and women.

The Principal Secretary Ministry of Health, through his statement, reaffirmed the commitment of the Government through the MoH to suicide prevention.

MTRH CEO Dr. Wilson K Aruasa decried the high number of adolescents committing suicide in the North Rift region.

“A half of bed occupancy at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital’s intensive Care Unit are teenagers admitted for attempting to commit suicide. Most of the suicide cases are related to mental health challenges,” said the MTRH CEO.

Dr Aruasa revealed that the hospital receives up to 5 cases of attempted suicide in a day with the majority being young people aged between 18 and 23.
He urged parents, elders, and guardians to be more responsible by helping teenagers and children who exhibit signs of mental challenges symptoms.

“I want to call upon all people with mental health challenges to seek medication at MTRH since the hospital has modern facilities to treat and manage mental health challenges. We are committed to offering total health services to patients suffering from mental-related challenges.,” said MTRH boss.

He said that MTRH is committed to ensuring that their patients undergo a holistic approach to medical care which greatly helps in addressing mental health challenges.

“Among younger children, suicide attempts are often impulsive as a result of feelings of sadness, confusion, anger, or problems with attention and hyperactivity,” he added.