The Silent Crisis
THE SILENT CRISIS
My name is Trevor Otieno, and I am from Nairobi, Kenya. I am battling Bipolar Disorder II and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). These disorders have been my constant companions, and through them, I’ve come to understand just how hard it is for someone living with mental health challenges to access treatment. In Kenya, like in many parts of the world, the lack of psychiatric facilities in government hospitals makes it nearly impossible for people like me to get the help we need. And even when private hospitals offer these services, they are often too expensive for the average person to afford. This reality is not just frustrating—it’s heartbreaking. It’s a daily reminder that mental health care is a privilege, not a right, for far too many people.
This is why I write this today—not just as an advocate, but as someone who has felt the weight of this broken system. Mental health is the foundation of everything we do, including learning. Yet, it’s often overlooked, stigmatized, or ignored. The truth is, that mental health affects the quality of education in profound ways. Today, without the medications I need—medications that are costly and difficult to access—I am reminded of how fragile this balance is.
If the problem of mental health is not addressed, we will have countless youths on the streets, addicted to harmful substances, their futures destroyed, and their health further deteriorated. These young people are not just statistics—they are the future leaders and our nations’ future. How can we expect them to build a better world if we fail to provide them with the support they need to heal and thrive?
The Cost of Ignoring Mental Health
When mental health is ignored, the consequences are devastating. Students drop out of school, dreams are abandoned, and potential is lost. For many, the streets become their refuge, and harmful drugs are their coping mechanism. This cycle of despair is not just a personal tragedy—it’s a societal failure. We cannot afford to lose an entire generation to untreated mental health conditions.
A Call to Action
We must advocate for the mental health of our youth. Those already affected need access to affordable, quality care. Governments must invest in mental health facilities, train more professionals, and make treatment accessible to all, regardless of income. Schools must integrate mental health education and support systems to ensure no child is left behind.
This is not just about health—it’s about justice. It’s about giving every young person the chance to live a life of dignity, purpose, and hope.
A Future Worth Fighting For
The youth are not just the future—they are the present. They are the voices, the innovators, and the leaders of today. But they cannot fulfill their potential if they are struggling in silence. We owe it to them to create a world where mental health care is a right, not a privilege.
Let us stand together and demand change. Let us ensure that no young person is left to suffer alone. Let us build a future where every child, every teenager, and every young adult has the support they need to thrive.
As Lupita Nyong’o once said, “Your dreams are valid.” But for dreams to flourish, mental health must be prioritized. Let’s make it our mission to ensure that no dream is left unfulfilled because of untreated mental health challenges.
Mental health is not a luxury. It’s a lifeline. Let’s fight for it—for our youth, for our future, for our world.
Written by Trevor Otieno.
Engage more with this story here:
YOUR DREAMS ARE VALID