MPCA launches suicide awareness campaign
The campaign seeks to empower members of the public to recognise warning signs of suicide, provide timely support and encourage those in distress to seek professional help.
The Muslim Psychologists and Counselling Association (MPCA) has launched a month-long suicide prevention awareness campaign aimed at combating mental health stigma and equipping communities with the knowledge and skills to support individuals at risk of suicide.
The initiative coincides with Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, observed in July, and seeks to empower members of the public to recognise warning signs of suicide, provide timely support and encourage those in distress to seek professional help.
As part of the campaign, the association has organised a series of educational webinars where mental health professionals and Islamic scholars will discuss suicide prevention from both contemporary psychological and Islamic perspectives. The sessions are expected to provide practical guidance on identifying individuals in crisis, offering appropriate support and promoting mental well-being.
The campaign will also feature weekly women's halaqa sessions every Friday at Masjid Salaam in South C, Nairobi, providing a safe and supportive environment for participants to connect, reflect and discuss mental health challenges.
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In addition, MPCA will publish educational articles and awareness messages on the Islamic perspective of suicide through Muslim publications and various media platforms to foster informed public dialogue and reduce misconceptions surrounding mental illness.
The association has urged individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress or other mental health challenges to seek professional support. Counsellors can be reached through the association's helplines: 0712 278 240, 0719 561 917 and 0723 269 595.
Islamic scholars noted that while Islam strictly prohibits suicide because life is a sacred trust from Allah, those facing psychological or emotional difficulties are strongly encouraged to seek medical treatment and professional counselling.
The campaign comes at a time when suicide is increasingly being recognised as a major public health challenge in Kenya. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an average of four people die by suicide in the country every day. Young people aged between 15 and 35 years, particularly men, are among the most affected.
Mental health experts attribute the causes fueling this silent emergency to economic hardship, unemployment, relationship difficulties, family conflicts and untreated mental health conditions.
