Taita Taveta County is set to review its response to suicide and attempted suicide cases after the County Assembly raised questions about the number of cases being reported and the support available to people at risk.
Kasigau Ward MCA Amos Makalo has asked the County Department of Health to provide a detailed picture of suicide and attempted suicide cases across the county, including the trends being recorded in different areas.
Makalo raised the matter during a sitting of the County Assembly, seeking information from the Committee on Health and Sanitation Services as the county observes Suicide Prevention Month.
“There is an increase in cases of suicide and attempted suicide within the County,” he said.
Rather than only seeking the number of deaths, the MCA wants the county to establish where suicide related cases are being reported, the factors associated with them and how health services are responding.
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Assembly seeks data from sub-counties and health facilities
Makalo has asked the health committee to establish the number of reported suicide and attempted suicide cases in each sub-county and health facility.
“The Chairperson of the Committee on Health and Sanitation Services Rose Shingira should establish the number of reported suicide and attempted suicide cases in the County,”
The committee is also expected to identify areas recording the highest number of cases and provide information on the trends observed by the Department of Health.
The data could give residents and county health planners a clearer picture of where support and prevention efforts may be needed most.
Committee chairperson Rose Shingira requested seven days to prepare and table a comprehensive report before the Assembly.
Is the county prepared to prevent suicide?
Beyond the numbers, the Assembly is seeking to establish whether Taita Taveta has a suicide prevention and response strategy and, if one exists, how it is being implemented and monitored.
The committee has also been asked to outline the suicide prevention programmes already being implemented by the health department, including measures being undertaken during Suicide Prevention Month.
This puts the focus on whether prevention efforts extend beyond responding to cases after they occur.
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Focus shifts to early identification
Makalo has further asked the committee to explain how the county is working with schools, universities, community health promoters, religious organisations, community leaders and other stakeholders to identify people who may be at risk.
The Assembly also wants details on systems for early identification, referral and treatment.
For residents, these links are important because people at risk may first come into contact with teachers, community health promoters, religious leaders, relatives or other community members rather than a hospital.
The committee’s report is expected to provide more information on how these different groups are being brought into the county’s mental health response.
The seven day report could provide the county’s first detailed picture of the scale and distribution of suicide and attempted suicide cases, the factors identified by health officials and the measures in place to prevent further cases.
It could also show whether Taita Taveta’s existing mental health services are equipped to support people at risk and whether referral systems between communities and health facilities are working.
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