Senator Gloria Orwoba: Cyberbullying leading cause of mental disorders among the youth

Senator Gloria Orwoba says cyberbullying and social media pressure are the leading causes of mental health issues among young people in this era.

Senator Orwoba’s sentiments come at a time when people in all parts of the globe are marking World Mental Health Day Celebrations.

It is a day designated to raise awareness about mental health and the importance of taking care of our mental well-being. It is important to prioritize our mental health and seek help when needed.

To mark the celebrations, she gave Sh100,000 as grants to six artists and musicians from Kibera slums in Nairobi to support their craft.

“Young Kenyans also illustrate that social stress within peer groups and romantic relationships were key drivers to mental health challenges that arise from the inability to meet expectations, either at peer or relationship levels. Identity crises or the need to conform to specific peer groups equally leads to mental complications, especially when they struggle to meet the expectations of their peers,” the lawmaker says.

“Challenges within the digital social networking platforms, such as cyberbullying and unrealistic lifestyles, have also led to mental health problems among young people.”

To minimize cases of mental health issues among young people, the legislator urges young people to participate in creative arts and music to overcome negative emotions.

“Through arts and music, they are able to process, manage, express, and distract themselves from stressful situations. Creative arts activities help young people to overcome mental distress by allowing the expression of emotions; helping to manage and transform emotions; distracting them from problems; facilitating social support and relationships; and contributing to the identity of young people.”

Mental health issues affect about 20 per cent of Adolescents and Young People with almost 50 per cent of them starting at the age of 14.

The most frequent diagnoses of mental illnesses made in general hospital settings are depression, substance abuse, stress, and anxiety disorders.

A WHO report (2017), ranked Kenya fifth among African countries with elevated depression cases, with global statistics indicating that approximately two million people suffer from depression.

Such mental health conditions continue to accelerate rapidly, with approximately one of every four Kenyans presenting with a mental health disorder at one point in their lives.

Additionally, the World Population Review places Kenya at 114 of 175 countries with escalated suicidal rates (6.5 per 100,000 persons).