Kenyan society has little understanding of mental illnesses

Mathari Mental Hospital.

Last week, I read with sadness the news that a Kenya Forest Service ranger shot his wife, then turned the gun on himself. I was sad because this is not the first, second or third time I am reading about murder and suicide within a family.

Yet, from the knowledge and wisdom I have gathered as a counseling psychologist, I can tell that many of us are going about life unaware that someone we love – or even ourselves –could be the next victims.