MY INTERVIEW WITH KUTV IN LINE WITH THE WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 2021

In yet another exclusive interview with Kenyatta University Radio and Television Services, I got an opportunity to talk about Mental Health in line with the World Mental Health Day commemorated every 10^th day of October every year. The theme for World Mental Health Day 2021 was; Mental Health in an Unequal World.

During the interview, I was asked to expound on the theme and make viewers understand why the world has become increasingly unequal or rather polarized. I recognized that the theme for 2021 was chosen through a global vote by members of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), the stakeholders, and supporters. Cognizant that the world is becoming increasingly polarized and thereby causing a meteoric rise in mental health problems, the theme for 2021 was to highlight the inequalities in regard to access to mental health services, quality of cares, disproportionate investment, and the widening gap between the “haves and the have nots”.

I echoed the statement by The WFMH President Dr. Ingrid Daniels mentioning that the 2021 World Mental Health Day Campaign is an opportunity to encourage open conversation and a deep dive on mental health and focus on the issues that continue to perpetuate mental health inequality locally and even globally. I was also keen to rally individuals, civil societies, the private sectors, and governments to accelerate mental health activities and tackle the widening inequalities which have been further accentuated by COVID-19 pandemic.

The interview was exciting and for over 20 minutes, we discussed various issues that have continued to cause mental health problems across the world. To watch the interview, please use this link.