Locked up in dark solitary confinement, whipped, sedated, stripped naked, neglected, verbally abused, and locked up in flea-infested space. If you think I’m referring to how animals are treated, you’re wrong. This is how I, a human being, was treated in the psychiatric ward of a mental health facility where I was admitted.  They denied me a bed to sleep on, or told me my diagnosis. I was made to feel like I am not a human, and unworthy of dignity and respect. Ironically, the place I had gone there to seek care and healing ended up adding to my trauma. My intended “caregivers” became my perpetrators.

This is not an old story, it still happens in mental health care facilities in Kenya today. According to the World Health Organisation, people with mental health conditions are among the most stigmatised, abused, and discriminated against, violating their human rights and leading to poor treatment outcomes. This is despite the fact that The Constitution of Kenya 2010 guarantees every citizen access to the highest attainable health including mental health. 

No one spoke up for me when I was suffering, so today while I heal and work as a mental health advocate, I am campaigning to ensure no one else suffers in the places where they are supposed to get help.

Sign my petition to the Health Ministry to intervene and ensure sensitisation training for all staff in mental health facilities on human and patients rights and Involve carers and users of mental health services at all levels of legal and policy development.. This will be in line with what the World health Organisation and our Kenyan Constitution uphold

If action is not taken, people who need mental health support will choose to endure mental distress without treatment rather than risk facing prejudice and ostracisation that comes with accessing mental health services. Untreated mental health problems are a ticking bomb. Therefore, urgent action is needed.

As a survivor of this abuse, I want to remind the world that we are human too. We too have people we love, activities we enjoy, and dreams for our lives. We deserve to be treated with dignity as human beings. Treated fairly, we respond fast and positively to clinical treatment.

Sign and share this widely so that our stories and voices are heard.

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