Lost In The Dark | A look at child suicide in Kenya

[@janicemomanyi5817]

i have been going through the comments and i couldn't help but notice some saying it is the devil and spirits. I mean no offense but why are we being ignorant? I have battled depression and still battling it every single day i wake up and i just want to lay in bed the whole day because i feel there is no use of waking up if all i'm going to do the whole day is be sad. I used to think that maybe it is just bad day or hormonal change and I'd google, why I'm i sad? I didn't even know what depression was until one day i stumbled upon some youtube video with the tittle "how to know you are depressed" so now it all made sense. that was 2017 when i was in form 2. it wasn't until last year that it started getting bad and i have had suicidal thoughts one too many times. And you know the sad part about mental illness is the fact that we don't know who to talk to. before someone gets to that point that they have decided they want to die, they have considered so much and that's why i am surprised when i see someone say it is spirits. maybe you should learn to check on your friends and siblings, especially the quite ones who have a hard time opening up. mental health awareness is a joke in Kenya. I mean how can someone who has never battled depression talk to me about depression? doesn't make sense. parents are also being shitty sometimes and fail to notice a change is their child's behavior and end up saying we are lazy. we are not lazy, we just don't have any motivation to do anything let alone be with people. You make it so hard for people to open up when all you ever do is judge them anyway.

[@periswacheke3780]

its really depressing when u aint able to share ur thoughts with anyone coz of all the judging that goes around....so whenever u feel down try living day by day dnt think abt tomorrow try getting over the day first n if its too much live by the min or sec...have a walk try engaging urself with activities if u feel like just lying down dnt fight it do that until u feel u are ready to stand...the healing process starts with u.☺️

[@Princess-eq5ei]

Agree we you going through the same but I never thought of depression now I knw why I don't wanna see or talk to anyone even my own family am always sad 😢

[@periswacheke3780]

@@Princess-eq5ei in this life there is always someone wen u hear their voice u feel alive...wen u r down try calling or talking to them n u will get the energy u need.....dnt let ur mind work on u...or try going back to how it all started thats the best way to rid of it but wen u nature it for along time u forget how it all started

[@Princess-eq5ei]

@@periswacheke3780 yes whenever my baby boy is at home I feel alive but ones he goes to school my sadness comes back the worst part of this feeling is that you can't keep friends you just want to be alone not even phone calls or music just quiet alone very sad

[@Princess-eq5ei]

@@periswacheke3780 thenku mydia I will try my best to overcome

[@lavenderflowers1075]

I think there's a severe lack of emotional support in our communities.

[@kingmatolo8381]

There is very little education when it comes to depression, suicide and mental health in general. I was depressed for years without knowing. I noticed it when I started having suicidal thoughts. Luckily I was too scared to try it. I've always been a loner, so nobody even noticed. In early 2020, I finally opened up to my parents about my struggles with depression. They dismissed it. It was like it's not a big deal to them. I don't blame them, our African parents are not educated when it comes to such issues. Nobody just wakes up one morning and decides to kill themselves. Such feelings build up over a period of weeks, months to even years. I just wish we educated our children to learn how to open up about such emotions. I also wish our parents better understood how to deal with mental health of their kids

[@irenedavo3768]

Do you watch videos of Jim Nduruchi Kenya 🇰🇪

[@NileGoddess]

How did you get over the depression

[@kingmatolo8381]

@@NileGoddess I never fully healed , I just learnt how to better deal with it. I do have my bad days. For me staying busy helps. I don't do well mentally if I'm idle for long period of time. Music also helps. I consider myself lucky because I'm not on any type of medication.

[@pattyray328]

Sending you hugs. How strong you are to share about your story!

[@venusdemilo3378]

@@kingmatolo8381 You are on the right track with MUSIC, I just seriously started listening to music everyday for my depression, after listening to a dr psychiatrist say music therapy does help. Plus offcourse keeping busy. It never fully heals like you said. I have been on depression meds and was thinking of getting back on meds again, but when I think of the side effects I have had to deal with in the past, imma try vitamins instead.

[@njerijuma7949]

We need to empower our children with stress management skills and early training in problem solving skills

[@irenedavo3768]

Do you watch videos of Jim Nduruchi Kenya 🇰🇪

[@irenealuoch480]

The parents hold the lion's share of the blame,most parents bring up their children in a similar manner that they were brought up regardless of the fact that perhaps their parents were narcissistic.

[@ruthmugure5339]

Mungai as very proud telling his father he's number 4 but the father didn't appreciate him 😭😭😭😭😭that could be the reason

[@BG-gt1xy]

Who are you to judge ?

[@everlyneoluoch2509]

All parents ask for better numbers. The thoughts are shallow

[@ruthmugure5339]

@@everlyneoluoch2509 True but appreciate and encourage him/her to improve next time

[@kingmatolo8381]

Children can get depressed too. The sad thing is that if it's not dealt with at a young age, they will carry that childhood trauma into their adulthood.

[@thediaryofaneasymommylife4046]

Lets normalize doing therapy when you have kids. Parents wounds their kids more. The dad can't realize he didn't provide positivity to the kids, rather he thrives in critics. Tell your kids i love you, am proud of you, am glad i have you, such words means a lot.

[@venusdemilo3378]

YES!! Affirmations

[@swittykarendi]

Let’s normalize mental health education in schools. Let’s start school counseling sessions. Parents and teachers should normalize being open with the children. Boys should not just be boys, let them vent out and cry if they need to. As we can see even extroverts who are bubbly and chatty are going thru depression silently. Unfortunately most of this cases are targeting boys. Something is ailing our boy child. 😭😭 This is tragic, very tragic. May God comfort their families.

[@Serahpaul84]

My nephew killed himself without saying anything we still have questions my sister still cry everytime she think about it😭😭😭😭😭

[@lovelenson3659]

Ohh God that's very sad 😥 sorry to hear that.

[@wanjirunyambura2708]

Hugs to you dear..it must be devastating

[@simplybeautiful2479]

Hugs dear 💕

[@christineokwiri4720]

I don't even understand this generation course 😭😭😭😭😭 I break those covenant ijn Amen

[@stevybill]

Lets normalize praying for our kids and families 🥲

[@keyjoh2971]

Uku sini kwetu uyu sini mtoto wa ukumbusho na ii story ya kujinyonga Iko Kila kona ata mtoto wa pastor si alijinyonga mungu saidia elburgon juu sio watoto tu ata wakubwa we need to pray pray pray....woie ukumbusho he's such a kind man may God strengthen him my condolences to the family, friends and the neighbors

[@bornfree1595]

At teenage approaching and the whole experience,many feel lost,its a feeling i can relate to and not the best,let's lower our expectations of a "good teenager ",may God feel the gap

[@marykinuthia6067]

Thank you for raising awareness. Pole sana 😢 😞.

[@steveirungu3132]

I would rather be a Lost boy for good than I talk to my parents to me it's a hell NO I'm extremely sorry 😐😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔 that's the bitter truth by Steve Irungu Jermaine

[@joanmacharia]

you can find a trusted person in your family to confide in , it doesn't have to be your parents.

[@kenyaettahboss4240]

Please you need to find someone you can relate to and discuss matters not necessarily your dad or mum

[@BG-gt1xy]

It's not too late my brother. You will be fine.

[@jess679.]

please find a confidant or even a friend you can share your problems to

[@monixmoni5307]

Guys go back to the drawing board and discuss where we lost our footing

[@ochiengjanet8598]

May the good lord heal the broken-hearted and bind up their wounds.i know its very hard to overcome this but He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away

[@tiffanywambugu9099]

I think what our kids also watch on tv and other places should also be observed.

[@wanjirunyambura2708]

You read my mind.... there's a lot of trash inthe media.. we need to monitor what our kids are watching.

[@goldensunshine8693]

This is deeper than depression, why did they leave a similar note of loving their family?????

[@steveirungu3132]

I don't want to be interviewed by journalists period I'm extremely sorry 😐😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔 that's the bitter truth by Steve Irungu Jermaine

[@jannetnyaboke1914]

Would you like to speak to someone else other than a journalist?

[@Essykimz_1]

Children need to be told no matter what they are going through it is good to talk to an adult . It might be helpful for the school to have a counselor available at school for kids to have a person to reach out to or talk to.

[@ritawesonga9352]

I think Mental health education is paramout In chool! Wueh! This is devastating

[@shehaothman2948]

How about visiting their schools and interview more.

[@ivinenaswa3501]

Its so sad that our younger siblings are emotionally suffering ,am in tears for such innocent souls dying out of pain or rather something they could not talk to get a solution,it makes me want to talk to my young ones every moment I want them to feel free to express their emotions and how they feel I will ever listen even without judging them,let's all let down the walls we have built to avoid people from getting to us

[@sophiezakaria]

There's an evil spirit roaming in that area, people should stand up for prayers and fasting,kemeeni kuna mtu anawachukulia watoto,hakuna cha depression

[@Tinawarue]

This is why mental health in kenya is a joke because of comments like this

[@sophiezakaria]

Spare me with your mental health scripture, only people like you think it's mental health that is killing under age children 🤔🤔🤔

[@Tinawarue]

@@sophiezakaria im not arguing with u because of such a serious topic kids face depression and instead of adulrs listening to them they start throwing unnecessary scriptures then they kill themselves then you blame evil spirits aya basi pray then

[@Khakasa]

@@sophiezakaria so.. someone who dies from cardiac arrest because he has heart disease that went undiagnosed, untreated pia ni evil spirit? Someone who died from low blood pressure because it was not known or treated because all doctors look for symptoms of high blood pressure pia ni evil spirits? The heart is an organ, blood is lifeblood, the brain IS AN ORGAN. If there's chemical imbalance in any of them that goes undiagnosed, untreated for years.. sometimes even an hour like low blood pressure.. YOU WILL DIE. Some things need monitoring and lifestyle changes, others need serious medication. Prayers on their own will not increase low blood pressure. The same God you're praying to, gave us medicinal plants and knowledge to use them and people who evolved into doctors. Everyone loves quoting Hosea 4:6 my people perish because of lack of knowledge. The second line in that verse that no one bothers with.. They HAVE rejected knowledge. Yeah, I see so many in that club it's SAD

[@wanjirunyambura2708]

I just wish our society can be more educated on mental health... let it be introduced into our school system as well as counseling to the young children....depression is real

[@Misslikkle1616]

This is heartbreaking....its about time the boychild are heard emotionally and there parents teach them to speak out what's bothering them at a young age....This is just messed up and not right

[@justiceserved2418]

Girls also

[@imani3975]

@@justiceserved2418 of course but most suicide cases are boys , I think it’s because boys are taught at young age to not express their problems and be a “man”.. whereas girls are more likely to seek emotional help

[@maureenmuiruri6591]

This is really sad 😢😢😢😢😢😢. Very young lives lost.

[@trizawanyama1031]

This is not normal. Questions need to be asked. I think there's a predator taking advantage of these children. There might even be a serial killer or a pedophile

[@mremboblog]

Exactly what I was thinking... this is not normal.. kwanza the second story. The boy had dreams and aspirations which he articulated. They need to look at see if these children knew the same person or circle of people. That they both left notes saying that they loved thier families.... something is fishy!!!

[@virgomelody1529]

I really empathize with the children and their parents even more. This truly sucks!

[@steveirungu3132]

I would rather be a street kid than I live with my family period I'm extremely sorry 😐😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔 that's the bitter truth by Steve Irungu Jermaine

[@marymugo2744]

Why do you consider being a street kid rather than being with your parents?

[@simplybeautiful2479]

I know there must be a reasons behind that , hope all shall be well for you 💕 🙏

[@steveirungu3132]

Empower the boy child period I'm extremely sorry 😐😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔 that's the bitter truth by Steve Irungu Jermaine

[@gracesereyah7479]

This is so heartbreaking😭😭😭😭

[@simplyjudy2980]

Parents ...alot of things happen in school...talk to your kids not only about their performances

[@funkejames7482]

My friend....my son refused school boarding.,.he told me they are totured by they fellow students.....he is in form one.....ati wanamwagia vitanda maji etc.....he didn't talk to me aliongea na mabeste wake ndio waliniambia..,..ameacha fees shule

[@jemohjumah3738]

Bro that road you taking ain't easy at all. I tried that and it's now 4years. There is no family member who has ever heard about me . Sometimes we shut down, we lose family ties but it's okay if it is for peace of mind. At least for now nobody knows me, where i come from, my bros and sis it's just me alone. Sometimes it's good.

[@javanmwangi5120]

Let the society embrace communal parenting like long ago and try to create communal activities for the kids like village 4k club or tournaments involving kids and the NGOs and the govt invest in those activities and apply counselling during such sessions and this will help reduce this cases related to mental health. Its a sad situation and require urgent intervention by all stakeholders.

[@pattyray328]

Very Insightful. Have such thoughts for my village in kitale

[@bethwamaitha4984]

Its true this is my home things have been getting worse and worse while our mp keeps drinking his merry out.who will help us ???

[@cutekidchibaby8179]

My condolences to the family in need these is so sad 😭

[@misskimulla3407]

Let`s normalize being friends with our children so that we will notice that small change from their normal self before things go from bad to worse

[@rhodamakena6379]

This is really sad... Are they really committing suicide or are they being killed?? Similar suicide notes🤔... My option, they should dig deeper.. May our good lord give these families the strength they need...

[@wanjiramwihia2455]

I'm thinking about those letters too it's sad indeed to lose a young soul in such a way

[@winniewangarimuturi8051]

May the Lord comfort the families.

[@estheressie8701]

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 am so broken Jesus Christ remember every family

[@samanthajennings1878]

It's really sad how the next generation is dieing before fulfilling their purpose

[@stanleykimeto5907]

Pole Sana for such disastrous situation in today's society.

[@steveirungu3132]

I would rather live alone period by Steve Irungu Jermaine

[@CleanKenya]

What about the many more that go undocumented or are hidden by family members? Something needs to be done. Why would those kids be so hopeless? It is hard to kill, why would those kids be successful at it? (i.e, where do they learn how to do die?) God, that first boys father...God heal him and reconcile the sons actions.

[@gracemwangi9417]

Woiyi,I wish he spoke out he could be helped.

[@vivianemerikwa3511]

Dady who present appreciate his hardworking son .what of mine number last

[@virginiawanjiru4500]

i feek like every school should have a phsyciatrist to help kids open up

[@mercymumbi2510]

Spiritual

[@peterokalo9632]

We needed to have lessons at school able to help children’s from stress

[@steveirungu3132]

I'm extremely sorry 😐😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔 by Steve Irungu Jermaine

[@anjelineougo9980]

Hey Steve..I might be a stranger but i feel like I can help you with whatever is troubling you..Do you need some help?

[@steveirungu3132]

Empower the boy child period by Steve Irungu Jermaine

[@hanifamulwa3963]

Or smone is killing them & hanging the letters r simmillar about the luv they have for there families something is not right ,condolence to the family

[@danmburu9203]

Stop conspiracies, a hanged body and a sucide body aren't similar on the angle of the neck placement

[@deelove6138]

Why is it so hard to accept that mental illness is real?

[@Princess-eq5ei]

Mûgai's dad 😭😭😭😭😭😭mungu amkumbuke

[@MotorReviesKE]

Woishe the dad is overcomed by emotions.

[@blessedmama5367]

Mmmh ! It's so sad 😞 May God strengthen the family .

[@hiimsneakel6506]

Okay he was an introverted person....and such as my self ..our mind goes deep in thoughts and we through period of depression...sometimes I think why i even exist...

[@peterokalo9632]

Most of Kenya’s families children’s mostly of them lucky of poverty no foods no hope 😭😭😭😭😭

[@ivyodero6881]

May God comfort this families.sad sad sad

[@nelsonamimo8969]

We need to engage thoroughly with our loved ones.

[@steveirungu3132]

I don't want to talk to journalists period by Steve Irungu Jermaine

[@steveirungu3132]

I want to drop my parents name Nyaga for the name Jermaine for good in Jesus name Amen 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 by Steve Irungu Jermaine

[@ciruwanjiru]

Pole sana Steve.whatever you are going through May you get through and see the light at the end of the tunnel.

[@kaseke100]

hey it could be nice if you put english translation for others who cant understand the language . Thank you

[@faizamalik1660]

this is truly heartbreaking. My condolences to the families.

[@peninahkariuki4679]

Poleni sana 😢

[@maryanne4908]

I hope these families find counseling.

[@jasminelove9587]

So sad 😞 😞 .May God console this family

[@bettyodari3274]

This is so sad n unfortunate.l want to believe this is just but a drop in the ocean. Adolescents are now immersing themselves in alcohol n hard drugs, leading to these early deaths of suicide n effects of the same. Mental illness is real ithas to be salvaged now....

[@hiimsneakel6506]

Please I could not understand what the father was saying and Simon the boy uncle

[@NileGoddess]

Depression is very normal.When one feels hopeless they give up and feel sick in the brains .If the body can be sick why not the brain?.Kenyans need to be smart and stop saying it’s evil spirits .Do you want to wait until your own child dies before you take mental health very serious.

[@venusdemilo3378]

You have finally answered my question. I have suicidal thoughts but mine are from being depressed from chronic illness, living in pain for yrs. What I have wanted to know for years is how a normal person gets depressed like I. Oh wow, thanks for answering my long awaited question. (If the body can be sick, why not the brain)

[@vivianemerikwa3511]

Appreciate your kids even if number last.

[@megkarugi9665]

Waah it’s really really painful Khai 😭😭😭😭

[@leotv8303]

They should start a local league to engage the youth mind

[@dennyosoko8075]

Things happen by reasons but it’s so painful , but it’s not easy to understand it or get it right .

[@virginiahmbinyamusau8544]

That is evil spirits

[@kingmatolo8381]

There is no evil spirits here. Y'all just need more education on mental health

[@steveirungu3132]

Dear Lord Jesus Christ I pray to drop my parents name Nyaga for the name Jermaine for good in Jesus name Amen 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 by Steve Irungu Jermaine

[@kenyaettahboss4240]

????

[@Melovemacolour]

Poleni 💔

[@janewairimu5404]

The people of this erea need to pray against suicide spirit its roaming around in that erea,.

[@deelove6138]

Ignorant people like you are the people who dont ask WHY?it dint start now this suicide has been there for as long as we can think of thing is its now been brought into the open and again its brushed off as spirits ama kurogwa..which in most cases its not...its sth called MENTAL ILLNESS and it needs to be talked about in KENYA..

[@ahmedmohammed3952]

Wat I didn’t even read this on the papers

[@Arun71150]

Corona + restrictions + stress of it all has affected many children...wish this wasn't their childhood. Adults as well, it's been affected greatly mentally and psychy. And when parents are suffering mentally, it cascades down vibaya to children. Msee anayesema covid is gone ..imeenda wapi... it's just a short lull... angalieni Europe

[@preciousjoy2057]

Pole sana mzee

[@zerikanandiemo7661]

Kifo cha uchungu😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@joyjeptoo6453]

Generational curses....

[@danmburu9203]

Ignorance is bliss, this is clearly a mental illness and should be addressed as so

[@steveirungu3132]

I would rather disappear for good than I talk to my parents etc period by Steve Irungu Jermaine

[@adikah]

You are loved

[@phylkaranja5083]

Sorry abt what you going through...please reàch out to the free counseling services befrienders

[@loveiam4828]

So sorry for the family. May God give them strength🙏🏾. Its about time Africans should realize that times have changed. Talk deeply with your kids and if you can't,find someone whom thy trust to do so. Young ple go through so many things in secret. Do not push them away or judge them. 1.Mental health should be openely talked about. Lessons should be included in schools. 2. The government should also investigate and figure out next step. This can be done through events like youth forums and the likes.

[@annmaina1692]

This is wrong💔

[@kelvinmarsh2249]

These families should welcome men of God for thorough prayers,,,,,,,

[@wanguibundi4017]

God have mercy on us as a nation ,I believe that the devil is looming in our streets and we need prayers more than ever before so God may have mercy on us and heal our land. A lot of wickedness has become the order of the day and a lot of devil worshiping. Our children have been exposed to so much evil but with prayer God is able and He'll have mercy on us. Let's surrender all to God and He'll come through for us. Condolences to the families may God heal your spirit. So sad and heartbreaking 😭😭😭😭💔💔💔💔🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@simplybeautiful2479]

😭🤦‍♀️💔

[@boopinkie6297]

I honestly don't think it's about the number...there could be other things...The father appreciated to the best of his ability and encouraged him like any parent would...also spirituality and mental health awareness could both be a solution... It's not an either or situation... Both could help.. Bora solution...

[@steveirungu3132]

I'm extremely sorry 😐😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔 by Steve Irungu Jermaine

[@BG-gt1xy]

Are you promoting something in a place like this ? I've seen your comments and checked your KZbin and I didn't click.

[@steveirungu3132]

I would rather live alone period by Steve Irungu Jermaine

[@olukpamela8003]

Steve better you look for somewhere to live than taking your life, I wish you were near my place we would host you

[@steveirungu3132]

I would rather live alone period by Steve Irungu Jermaine

[@kenyaettahboss4240]

What is going on ? Please talk to someone

[@lovelenson3659]

Please talk to me or someone else ..we love you

[@jemohjumah3738]

Bro that road you taking ain't easy at all. I tried that and it's now 4years. There is no family member who has ever heard about me . Sometimes we shut down, we lose family ties but it's okay if it is for peace of mind. At least for now nobody knows me, where i come from, my bros and sis it's just me alone. Sometimes it's good.