Where troubled youth find free medical attention

It is 9 am on a chilly Tuesday morning and all seats at the Kenyatta National Hospital’s Youth Centre are occupied. Consultant adolescent psychiatrist Josephine Omondi will see at least 12 patients before the day ends, with each getting at least an hour of her time.

The centre serves patients aged 13 to 26 years, five days a week, offering them free treatment for mental health problems such as schizophrenia, depression, drug and substance abuse and suicidal behaviour.

“We serve about 4,000 patients a year, with 1,500 new cases every year. They come from as far away as Lamu, Nyeri, Marsabit and Siaya. At least two patients require inpatient care each week,” says Dr Omondi.

“Some are here due to sexual assault, discipline problems and drug and alcohol use,” she adds.

The major challenge is that the clinic offers only outpatient services, so those who need hospital admission are referred to Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital.

“I hope we can get wards where adolescents with mental health problems can be admitted for observation and treatment. As it is, Mathari does not admit patients under the age of 18 years due concerns over their safety,” she says, adding that there is also need for halfway houses where teens can be reassured that they are doing the right thing to recover from illness and build their confidence.

Fifty per cent of mental illness begins by age 14, and 75 per cent of the diseases begin by age 24. Moreover, suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds in the world.

“The risk factors include sexual and physical abuse during childhood; violence at home, school or in the community; poverty; social exclusion and educational disadvantage,” said the Head of Mental Health Promotion Catherine Syengo during an event to mark last year’s World Suicide Prevention Day.

AT THE MERCY OF INFLUENCES

According to Dr Omondi, lack of parental attention due to busy schedules has also left children and youth at the mercy of influences that have a negative bearing on their mental health. Youth then turn to social media to air their frustrations.

“Your children could be crying for help through their Facebook posts, but you will not be aware if you don’t know what they are posting online. It is important to know what your children are doing and posting online,” says consultant psychiatrist Judy Kamau, noting that suicidal individuals sometimes use cryptic posts to signify impending departure.

Mental illness manifests in various forms that those who interact with children and youth need to watch out for.

“Any drastic changes in behaviour such as sleeplessness, irritability, loss of appetite, withdrawal from social activities coupled with unwillingness to talk about the cause of the behaviour change could be a sign that the child needs to see a mental health professional,” she notes.

However, cultural beliefs are still a hindrance to accessing treatment, leading many to miss out on medical attention for a medical problem that affects the mind.

“There are those who believe that the person has been bewitched, and discontinue treatment to search for alternative cures. When they realise that the alternatives are not working, they bring back the patient, by which time their condition has worsened,” she says.

According to Dr Syengo, adolescents and youth are vulnerable because they are going through a phase of change – body changes, changing schools, leaving home, starting a new job.

“For many, these changes are exciting. But for others, these can be times of stress and apprehension. If not recognised and managed, these feelings can lead to mental disorders.

“Moreover, some youth have to deal with bullying, trauma, suicide by loved ones or the onset of major mental illness and other challenges that predispose them to mental disorders.

They require our time, attention, awareness and compassion; and programmes and guidelines to protect and empower them,” says Dr Syengo adding that there are plans to reach youth in schools, colleges and on social media with information on preventing mental health.