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{
    "id": 1109265,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1109265/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 228,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kasanga",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13185,
        "legal_name": "Sylvia Mueni Kasanga",
        "slug": "sylvia-mueni-kasanga"
    },
    "content": "The Bill, when passed into law, will provide for the prevention of mental illness, care, treatment and rehabilitation of persons with mental illness. It will also provide for procedures of admission, treatment and general management of persons with mental illness. I urge the Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights to initiate the process of decriminalizing suicide. We now know that anyone attempting suicide is actually crying out for help. Let this be the gift to Kenyans before this term of Parliament lapses. I also would like to urge mental health practitioners to work together in providing services for Kenyans. This is mostly a call to the psychiatrists in this country, being the highest in the pecking order of the mental health practitioners. Every mental health practitioner plays a big role in their different capacities and working in isolation can only weaken and delay efforts towards improving mental health care in the country. Every single Kenyan has a responsibility in the promotion of mental health. Those who understand mental health should take it upon themselves to educate their peers and create awareness. We all need to stop stigmatizing people who are mentally ill. It is important to remember that anyone of us can fall mentally ill. We need to remember to use the right language when talking about mental illnesses. Incorrect language increases stigma. Let us join hands to fight stigma by consistently talking about it and encouraging each other to open up. Tufungue roho . Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, in conclusion, I would like to recommend the good work the different stakeholders are doing to promote mental health. Do not tire. Continue with the good work and one day, we will realise a nation that is more aware and understands mental health, a nation whose people can access mental health services whenever they need to and a nation whose mentally ill people are not stigmatized and discriminated, but instead treated with care and compassion. I thank you."
}