Mental Health Stakeholders during a reflection meeting facilitated


Samwel Maina, a Community Health Promoter from the Bondeni intervention area, noticed that one of the young people in his community was a drug addict.

This is his narration.

“From my observation, I noticed a young man in our community was into drug and substance abuse.

The relentless grip of addiction had dulled the young man's once vibrant face, his features hollowed and weary.

Once full of life and ambition, his eyes had become clouded and bloodshot, reflecting a deep sadness that words can't capture. Once smooth and youthful, his skin carried a pallor, with faint tremors betraying the toll of his battles.

His hands, often shaking, fumble for the next fix, a constant, desperate need gnawing at him from within.

Once neat, the edges of his clothes hung loosely, as though even his spirit had slipped away from the structure of who he used to be.

A faint, stale scent clung to him—an intoxicating mixture of alcohol, sweat, and something darker, something that clung to the soul.

His breath came in uneven, labored gasps, as if each inhale was a struggle to remember a time when the weight of his vices didn't consume him.

The young man stood at the edge of his despair, a quiet echo of the life he once dreamed of, lost beneath the overwhelming shadow of addiction. But there was hope, a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.

 

I approached him to find out what the problem was.

Since we had a good rapport with him, he opened up and informed me where he gets them.

I asked him if he would discuss the matter further, and he agreed.

I took him through the PFA session, and after our session, he agreed to get more help. I referred the matter to a PM+ Helper, trained in offering low-level psychological interventions through different strategies.

Since more youths were in danger of being consumed by the drugs and substance menace, I went to see the area chief.

I discussed with the chief how we were going to leverage barazas to sensitize parents on drug and substance abuse and the risks of emerging Mental Health issues.

We also contacted the area Police Boss, who committed to increasing patrols.

 

With their wide-reaching influence, the chief understands the vital need for a community-centered approach.

By fostering partnerships with health promoters and law enforcement, the chief ensures that mental health and substance abuse issues are met with a coordinated response—one that doesn't rely solely on punitive measures but on holistic, compassionate solutions.

While traditionally focused on law enforcement, the police play a crucial role in identifying individuals needing help, often encountering them during moments of crisis.

When police work with Community Health Promoters, they are empowered to make informed, empathetic decisions prioritizing the community's well-being over simple enforcement.

This collective effort creates a safety net for individuals, offering more than just a path out of addiction or mental illness—it provides a pathway to dignity, recovery, and reintegration into society.

Together, they build a foundation of trust, ensuring that those struggling with mental health and substance abuse are met with understanding, not judgment.

The community thrives in a climate of compassion and support, a testament to our collective empathy and care.

The area where the young man was getting his supply of drugs is now a drug-free zone.”

By:Jacob Karani