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{
    "id": 1460242,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1460242/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 138,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Naomi Waqo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13546,
        "legal_name": "Naomi Waqo",
        "slug": "naomi-waqo"
    },
    "content": "problems in families have caused a lot of stress and mental health problems to many people in our country. And it is for that reason that I support this Motion. I suggest that we offer counselling to our young people in schools, including primary schools. A department that takes care of their mental health should be established so that in case of anything, a child can be given that attention. For those who are about to join high school or who are already in high school, we know very well that these teenagers are going through a lot of stress because of the life that we are in today. In our high schools, we need to have a department that takes care of our young people, especially girls schools because girls go through a lot of things. Some have gone through FGM, early pregnancies and problems with parents who may have separated. They need to be supported mentally so that they can stand on their own and be healthy. Many of our police officers have committed suicide. Others have even finished their families and at the end of the day, committed suicide. This could be because of stress and not being able to meet their expectations, feed their families or progress as they would want to. Many people choose to take a bullet and finish their lives. If we have systems and measures in place that take care of our people mentally, then we will have very healthy families and societies. We can then enjoy the life that God has given us. Looking at our Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), we all know that they also go through very many things. We know that they have professionals who give them a bit of counselling and help them in different ways, but having a department that takes care of their mental health will be a good thing. The national Government, through the Ministry of Health, should take care of mental health in the counties as well. In counties, we can have one department at the county headquarters as well as satellite centres where people can be taken care of. My county is one of the largest and you have to travel for 300 kilometres before you get to the headquarters. It is only good and practical if we have satellite centres in every constituency and maybe every dispensary where Kenyans will be taken care of, guided so that people can be healthy mentally and physically. This is a good Motion that we all need to support. The nation must give it necessary attention. If any funds are needed, we need to set them aside so that we can take care of our people, because a healthy nation will always be a good thing for any Government. We can promote people, enhance the education system, employ more people or get good businesses, but without good mental health, we cannot progress and achieve all our goals. People get good businesses. Without good mental health, we cannot progress and achieve all our goals. That is why I urge Hon. Members to seriously contribute so that this policy is developed and implemented for the benefit of our nation. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker."
}