We are users and survivors of psychiatry. The story we tell is our story. We have been there, we have faced the pain and we want to help you walk this road better than we did. We want you to have the right information so that you can prevent such disorders before they take root.

 

We also want you to help us achieve change for better mental health care. Let’s face the stigma and ignorance together. Let us learn more about mental health so that we can keep mental disorders at bay.

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Welcome to the Users and Survivors of Psychiatry in Kenya (USP-K) website. USP-K is a membership development organization registered and working in Kenya. Members consist of people who are undergoing treatment for various mental health conditions ranging from mild ones such as depression to more serious disorders such as schizophrenia (users) and those who have recovered (survivors).

This website is dedicated to those who share an experience of having mental illness and going through the stigma that is associated with it. These people often feel that they have neither been understood nor been treated well. They have struggled under the weight of stigma that is associated with mental illness. In many societies, mental illness is equated to madness. In Kiswahili, it is called Wazimu (madness) yet mental illness is sickness like any other with many different causes. A sickness affecting the stomach, the leg or the arm is alright, but one affecting the brain, which is just another body organ, is not seen as alright. Some equate mental illness to demonic possession (kupagawa na mapepo in kiswahili). They think that people suffering from mental illness committed some sins and are paying the price. It is not unheard of for mentally ill persons to be commanded to repent or exorcists charged with removing evil spirits from them.

MIPs also face stigma at the personal level because no one wants to be diagnosed with such disorders, leading to many cases not receiving the help that they need. MIPs are labeled ‘badly behaved’ while they are actually mentally ill, for they are often unwilling to be assessed and diagnosed with a disorder that if treated, would improve the quality of their lives. Families rarely understand mental illnesses and how to support the sick. Many MIPs are shunned, made fun of, blamed and criticized for having fallen sick.

Mental illnesses are common, affecting about 20% (1 in 4) of the population at any time. Women are twice as affected as men by some mental health conditions such as depression.

USP-K is an organization that is dedicated to disseminating correct information about mental health. If you are a MIP, you will get crucial tips to find healing, and if you are not sick, help to ensure you remain mentally healthy. If you are a carer, we will be equip you with the necessary information to help you manage your mentally ill loved one better. If you are a parent , a teacher or someone dealing with young people, you will learn how to create the right environment to protect those young people from such disorders. We want to all work together to keep mental illnesses at bay.

The Users and Survivors of Psychiatry in Kenya

P. O. BOX 452 Nairobi 00606

Kenya

To contact us:

Phone:+254-712-445355

+254-737-944393

E-mail: info@uskenya.com

Mental disorders can affect anyone; ourselves, our loved ones or the stranger on the street. Many cases of homicide, rape, substance abuse, irresponsible behavior, domestic violence, suicide, etc., result from undiagnosed and untreated mental illnesses. Whether we are mentally ill persons, carers or the general public, we are all affected by mental health issues. We also have a major role to play in the prevention of these disorders both in ourselves and those around us.

Become a member of USP-K and start receiving the latest information not only about the treatment of mental disorders but also about how to keep such disorders at bay. (Hyperlink to download USP-K membership form)

Users and Survivors of Psychiatry

Kenya