10 Places You can Turn To During A Crisis
Clinical depression, anxiety disorders, PSTD from sexual assault and other forms of abuse – are all classified as mental disorders that one should never have to endure or conquer alone. According to Kenya’s mental health policy, approximately 25% of out patients and 40% of in patients suffer from mental health conditions.
The treatment of mental health and other conditions in Kenya is underfunded to say the least, forcing sufferers to seek costly private treatment. In the likely event that one cannot afford such treatment, they are forced to suffer in silence.
It is important to know that you should never be alone in these circumstances. There are resources to help educate the public on mental health and aid in the event of numerous crises. Consider the following when in the need of support.
1. Child line Kenya
This resource focuses on abused children. Childline provides a 24-hour toll-free helpline for any Kenyan child to report abuse and receive counseling. Childline works in partnership with the government to stop child abuse and provide a safe environment for all children.
The group rescues children from their abusers, provides post-trauma counseling and if needed medical care, education and legal support.
2. Amani Counseling Center
Amani Center provides support in the areas of depression, anxiety, challenges in personal relationships and addictions. They are a faith-based organization located in Nyeri, Kisumu, Mombasa and also Ugunja.
First time clients are taken through registration, otherwise known as Intake, where client details are taken. Here the center tries to understand the type of counseling they are looking for to aid in matching with specific counselors that deal with the presented issues. Your confidentiality is taken into account when dealing with any counselor.
3. Wangu Kanja Foundation
This foundation focuses on survivors of sexual violence with aims to “restore dignity to survivors”. Founder Wangu Kanja, a rape victim herself, knows the pain and trauma rape victims endure daily. The foundation has a mission to be a center of excellence in prevention, protection and response in addressing sexual and gender based violence.
Wangu Foundation has a helpline where they can report rape, after which they are connected to healthcare workers and paralegals to handle the procedures required to bring perpetrators to justice.
Related: Why Rape Survivors Forget Important Details
4. Befrienders Kenya
Befrienders is an NGO specializing in mental health education. This charitable organization focuses on suicide prevention by offering emotional support to those in distress, also creating suicide awareness within communities. This is so far the only organization in Kenya with specific focus on suicide prevention.
5. Gender Violence Recovery Centre (GVRC Kenya)
GVRC focuses on abused women. This is a nonprofit charitable trust of the Nairobi Women’s Hospital. The Recovery Centre seeks to bring back meaning and hope to abuse survivor’s lives and their families. GVRC provides free medical treatment and psychological support to survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and engages the public in advocacy issues and primary prevention of abuse.
6. Calm (application)
This application encourages those overwhelmed by stress and anxiety to take a breath and engage in meditation. Calm is one of the top applications for meditation and mindfulness. Over 100 guided meditations are offered to help manage anxiety, lower stress and aid in getting a better nights sleep.
7. Kenya Sex Workers Alliance (KESWA)
Sex workers are most vulnerable to violence at the hands of their clients and society in general. Because of their occupation they are denied services, resources and justice and there are little to no laws that help this issue.
KESWA aims to recognize sex work as work and promotes the foundation for democratic principle of equal protection of human rights.
8.Counselling Kenya
If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time and is in need of someone to talk to, a Counsellor in Mombasa is ready to help.
They are helping Mombasa be happier and healthier – one person and one relationship at a time. Counselling Kenya believes that you deserve more comfort, more love, more joy, more peace, and more ease in your life. Simple as that. They help people who want to find relief and grow into their fullest potential.
Contact then via this number for any inquiries: 0741123944
9. CARA Girls Rescue Centre
This centre is a rescue and care for homeless girls. CARA aims to provide a loving home for children during their stay in addition to ensuring they have access to medical care, counseling, education, food, shelter and clean water.
10. Still A Mum
Still A Mum is an NGO supporting parents who have lost children due to miscarriages, stillbirth and infant death. This organization offers one-on-one counseling, physical support groups in addition to WhatsApp support groups for those located outside of Nairobi.
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