MARKING WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY – BEFRIENDERS KENYA

The World suicide Prevention Day is now an important day within the mental health space in Kenya. The Ministry of Health (Mental Health department) has formed a National Multi-Sectoral Suicide Prevention Committee and together with partners have organized one national event for 10th September and several awareness online forums to highlight matters suicide prevention before the main day. However, this does not stop other initiatives to mark the day from going on and indeed several organizations have individual planned activities.

Befrienders Kenya is part of the National Multi-sectoral Suicide Prevention Committee but as an organization, we have also organized a community event together with some grass-root community-based organizations. The activity focuses on awareness on suicide and suicide prevention at that level. This event will be held on 9th September 2023 in Kibra division about 6km from Nairobi city centre. Kibra is a large urban slum area. The theme is in line with the international theme: Creating Hope through action.

The program for the day includes: Introduction to the Day as well as the IASP Presidents message, a Candle Lighting Ceremony, sharing from those with lived experience (a survivor of suicide and one bereaved through suicide), Presentations on Decriminalization of Suicide in Kenya (a current topic in the country) and plenary discussions. We expect about 100 people in terms of attendance and there will be some snacks and refreshments offered.

We hope that through this half day awareness creation event, community members will be encouraged to talk about feelings, struggles, experiences and that it will encourage help seeking behavior and give tips on how to help a suicidal person.