MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS SEMINAR HELD AT DHQ

A two-day mental health awareness seminar was held at Defence Headquarters (DHQ) to commemorate this year’s World Mental Health Awareness Month.

The workshop, held from 13 to 14 May 2025, was aimed at sensitizing uniformed and civilian staff on mental health issues and promotion of overall psychological well-being.

Held annually in the month of May, the seminar was aligned with this year’s global theme, “Community Supporting Mental Well-Being Together,” which underscores the importance of collective action in fostering supportive environments for mental health.
Representing the Ministry’s Secretary for Administration, Senior Assistant Secretary Ms. Bisase Ndondi in her opening remarks emphasized the significance of emotional awareness and self-care as the cornerstones of mental well-being.

“Mental health is deeply driven by our emotions. To understand mental health, it starts with the individual. Each person must learn to love and take care of themselves,” Ms Ndondi said.
The Senior Assistant Secretary also noted that the seminar’s goal was to educate, reduce stigma and foster support for those affected by mental health challenges.
“This initiative aims to raise awareness, eliminate stigma, and encourage an open, supportive environment where mental wellness is prioritized.”

Lieutenant Colonel Wycliffe Barasa, representing the Commandant Camp Administration Unit, echoed Ms Ndondi’s sentiments by reiterating the importance of mental health awareness.

“Mental health, just like physical health, affects how we think, feel, and act. Yet, due to stigma and lack of information, many individuals suffer in silence. We must encourage one another to seek help without fear or shame,” he said.

The seminar covered an array of key mental health topics, including mental illness, screening, depression, stress management and substance abuse, among others.
The sessions provided a safe space for open dialogue, helping to destigmatize mental health issues and encouraging participants to seek help and support from one another without fear of judgment.

In her closing remarks, Ms. Ndondi urged participants to become champions of change, to be the voice, the support and the light that uplifts mental wellness in every space they occupy.

The initiative is part of the Ministry’s broader strategy to foster a resilient, informed, and compassionate workforce where mental health is recognized as an essential pillar of operational readiness and overall wellness.

The seminar was facilitated by mental health professionals from the Ministry’s Medical Response Station (MRS) and Defence Headquarters Camp Administrative Unit (DHQ- CAU) who offered expert insights, practical coping strategies, and insights on access to mental health resources.