Mental Health Awareness campaign. Photo: Harrisonburg.
Persons living with Disabilities (PWDs), joined the rest of the nation in making National Mental Health Awareness Day, to share significance of a healthy mentality despite the burden of their children.
The event marked on May 8th, Benard Masioge from the office of PWDs, said it is important to mark the day, as it helps the society recognise the need of appreciating mentally challenged children.
He acknowledged a large number of cases reporting to the mental health clinics for monthly check-ups, but very few of them registering with the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD).
“The number of those attending clinic is high according to our records, where the figures stand at 600 ever month. However, there is a low number of those who have registered with the council of PWDs is very low standing at 120 only,” Masioge stated.
He said the main reason for hosting the parents, was to create awareness among parents who have not registered with Social Health Authority (SHA) and NCPD to visit the hospitals, where the child will be accessed with SHA and mental report shared to get the NCPD certificate.
“Today we are creating awareness among parents who have not registered with SHA to register, and have their children mentally accessed, as the report will help them get the certificate. This is our main call to day to see these parents benefit from SHA, as without the certificate they cannot be access medical services of their children,” he explained.
Jane Moraa a parent with a mentally challenged child urged parents not to discriminate and hide their children, as they deny them opportunities and aide from Organisations that cater for their sanity. She says her grandchildren have been a blessing to her despite their mother being mentally challenged.
“I urge parents those hiding their children, they are a blessing. Take them to these schools around the county, they will be helped. My daughter has been a blessing, her children are helping me out, don’t be ashamed of them,” she urged.
Like Moraa, Susan Kadon, a mother of mentally challenged boy, urged parents to register with SHA, as it will ease their burden on medication, therapy and other hospital needs. They called on government to offer opportunities to the children of affected parents, to be able to care for them.
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