In marking the mental health month, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi flagged off the 4.2KM Mental Health Awareness and Youth Empowerment in Gatunyu, Gatanga Constituency in Muranga County.
She was together with youth skilled at the Emmanuel Empowerment Centre, members of the boys and girls scouts, St John Ambulance, the community, national and county leaders, Pastor Dorcas walked from Gatunyu to Gatanga, a hilly terrain and acknowledging greetings from the locals.
The walk ended at the Emmanuel Empowerment Centre at the Gatanga Catholic Church, where a meeting was held. Pastor Dorcas sympathized with families that have lost ones to mental health problems, adding that many families had lost their peace, dreams and visions because of mental health issues.
“Be careful about your mental health because mental health problems are causing deaths. I know there are some clergy who would have attended this event, but they went to bury their child who killed himself because of mental health issues,” said Pastor Dorcas.
Mental health issues include depression, suicide, anxiety, bipolar disorders, eating disorders, and post traumatic disorders, and extreme isolation.
She noted that some with mental health issues also result to the abuse of alcohol, drugs and other substances. “It is unfortunate when we keep burying our children because of alcohol under this satanic agenda that is killing especially the boy child,” she said.
Pastor Dorcas emphasized that the answer to the country’s economic and security problems was through the empowerment of the boy child who is the seed carrier, leader, protector, and economic driver.
“A family cannot be complete without a boy and a girl, and balanced families must be preserved and protected, even as we protect our laws and future of Kenya,” said Pastor Dorcas.
The leaders’ present expressed solidarity in the fight for the youth and the boy child. They were Gatanga MP Wakili Edward Muriu, Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu, Nominated MP Sabina Chege, Father Wilson Njoroge, DCC Damaris Kimondo and Emmanuel Empowerment Centre CEO Esther Wairimu among others.
“Thank you for covering the nakedness of the boy child, and working towards his empowerment. Also the church that has joined in touching the lives of the youth, who are our future,” said MP Sabina.
“I was here when they were having a family day, and saw the initiatives here and our youth are learning technical skills that can help them get a livelihood for life.”
Father Njoroge said that mental wellness was part of the program against drugs, and involved the support of the parents in the empowerment of the children.
CEO Wairimu appreciated the Catholic Church for the partnership, and empowerment of the youth who may not be enabled. She added that they would work towards spreading the initiatives to other parts of the country.
Nominated MCA Shirleen Wambui said, “When you have a positive mindset, the future will be luminous for you. Let us support both the boy and girl, and stop consuming alcohol and drugs.”
DCC Kimondo said the support towards the fight against alcoholism was immense.
When flagging off the walk, Pastor Dorcas acknowledged the work done by the civil servants in the fight against alcoholism.
And at the end of the walk, she donated sewing machines, blow dryers, shaving machines, hair setting equipment, and cash to the Emmanuel Empowerment Centre, which in collaboration with the Gatanga Catholic Church is empowering the youth in the area through technical skills.
The post Pastor Dorcas raises awareness on mental health through walk first appeared on KBC.