Mental Health Integration – TINADA KENYA
TINADA Youth Organization is a community-based organization working in the western part of Kenya, specifically in Kisumu, Vihiga, Kakamega and Bungoma counties. We exist to promote the delivery of inclusive integrated health services, information, rights and strategic community empowerment and partnership with special attention to children, youth and persons with disabilities. We focus on integrating mental health into Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights, Gender-based violence and Disaster risk Reduction. This is in an effort to increase access to quality mental health care services, education opportunities, leadership involvement and promote respect for the human rights of the affected persons. TINADA does this by integrating and coordinating holistic prevention, promotion, rehabilitation and support that aims at meeting mental health care needs with evidenced-based research. Asa result of this we have been able to see improved investment into mental health as we advocate both at the community level through our peer educators and Youth-led and Youth-focused CSO networks, and at the leadership level as well. Kisumu County has allocated a budget code for mental health.
Advocacy with, for and to the youth has seen the Kisumu County allocate a budget code for mental health in the budget which means there will be consistent funding for mental health in subsequent budgets, funding for refurbishment and construction of Mental health Units in Kisumu, Vihiga and Kakamega Counties.
Mike Wanjeng’u
Programs Coordinator/ Advocacy officer