By Joyce Gathu
Death is an inevitable part of life, yet it is a fact that brings no consolation to those who have lost a loved one.
Emily Wangui gives her view on grieving. [Photo:Joyce Gathu]
Loss of life arising from accidents and natural calamities make it harder for people to move on.
For a country like Kenya with 510 fatal accidents per 100,000 vehicles, it means that a majority of people are often grieving.
But what worries psychiatrists like Dr Judith Mulinya, is that the institutions of counselling, psychology and psychiatrist treatment continue to be treated as if they are meant for those who are mentally unstable.
"Yet, coping with grief following the death of a loved one is a complex issue," Mulinya explains.
Sometimes, the loss of life is a national issue, such as during the post-election violence, where more than 1,000 people died, the Sachangwan fire tragedy, which claimed about 100 lives, Nakumatt Down Town fire that left 29 dead and Nairobiâs Sinai slum disaster that left 76 dead.
Most recently was the Mathare landslide where eight people perished.
"What happens to those who are left behind so suddenly, so unexpectedly?" wonders Mulinya.
Adding that, "We donât have structures that can deal with the large number of the bereaved in manner that can bring both short-term and long-term healing."
Stages of grief
