It is time we had honest discussion about depression among Kenyans

What you need to know:

  • It is time we had some honest conversations about depression in Kenya for there are certainly many Kenyans suffering from it. And quite a few of them are in powerful public positions, perhaps handling it secretly with alcohol or other ways.
  • One of my Robin Williams favorites was his description of politics: “Politics: poly (Greek for many): tics, those blood-sucking parasites!”

Two weeks ago, one of the world’s funniest people, Robin Williams, committed suicide following deep depression.

His wife later said that he was also in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, a debilitating illness that affects the nerves system, causes shakes and ultimately death.

Williams was a gifted actor and comedian and his many movies were always memorable. And like all comedians he was incredibly perceptive, witty, and with a razor sharp mind, something we see with our own comedians like Eric Omondi, Churchill, Nyambane, Smart Joker, and with the far-sighted cartoons by the likes of Gado and Maddo.

And now, Patrick Gathaara has added wonderful think-pieces to his inspiring cartoon work.

One of my Robin Williams favorites was his description of politics: “Politics: poly (Greek for many): tics, those blood-sucking parasites!” How true for us as our “politicians” continuously focus on themselves, blind to the interests of Kenya and its poor!

MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE

But Robin Williams also made a huge contribution to society in his openness of his struggles with depression as a mental health issue. For depression is common and widespread across the world. And far too often, we don’t take it seriously as an illness, mistaking it for the common feelings of being down and low that afflict us all at some point or other.

I have come to understand clinical depression better as people I care about have been diagnosed and have been more open about it. And I know it requires better understanding from all of us, as it does not discriminate. Anyone — rich, poor, black, white, famous, physically fit, male, female — can be affected.

And all too often it seems that the people with the best brains and talents —geniuses even — are quite likely to be diagnosed at some point.

Remember Mozart? Beethoven? Tolstoy? Oprah Winfrey? Ray Charles? Sir Isaac Newton? Sir Winston Churchill? Charles Dickens? Agatha Christie?

Ernest Hemmingway? They were all treated for depression. It affects politicians, too, such as John Adams, the second president of the USA and one of the founding fathers and drafters of the American Declaration of Independence, and Abraham Lincoln, famous for freeing slaves.

ALCOHOLISM

But for many people, coming to terms with clinical depression is difficult and they seek ways of handling it without medical help. In fact, many alcoholics are depressive and drown themselves in alcohol as a way of dealing with depression. And many of those we think of as “lazy” because getting out of bed is a chore, could very well be dealing with undiagnosed depression.

But debilitating as depression is, it can be treated with medication and therapy, and it should not be seen as an impediment to a satisfying and productive life. It could mean that work arrangements are shifted around and some adjustments made, but since we do that for people with physical disabilities we could do the same for those with mental health issues.

Thus, as we learn more about physical disability, we are now obliged to build ramps for people on crutches and wheelchairs. And we buy special computers for those who are blind. And we now have sign language interpreters on TV.

It is time we had some honest conversations about depression in Kenya for there are certainly many Kenyans suffering from it. And quite a few of them are in powerful public positions, perhaps handling it secretly with alcohol or other ways.

Depression is not and should not be shameful, and being open about it is the best way of getting all of us to come to terms with it, thus saving lives.