Kirinyaga County has called for an end to the silence and stigma surrounding mental health and suicide, urging residents to start conversations, seek help early and support people experiencing emotional and psychological distress. The call was made Thursday as the county joined the rest of the world in marking World Suicide Prevention Day, under the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” and the call to action “Start the Conversation.” Speaking on behalf of her health counterpart, the County Executive Committee Member for Gender and Youth Millicent Ngari, said suicide prevention must be treated as a collective public health and governance responsibility rather than an issue left to individuals, grieving families or mental health professionals alone. The CECM said the county was implementing national policies and guidelines on suicide prevention while strengthening mental health services, advocacy, referral systems and collaboration among different sectors. She noted that the county is also prioritizing mental health services in health financing, improving health infrastructure, expanding the mental health workforce, ensuring availability of essential medicines and strengthening referral and emergency care pathways. Ngari added that the county government is further working to establish and sustain multi-sectoral forums bringing together health, education, youth affairs, socia...
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