She launched a mental health social foundation known as My Mind My funk and the first ever Kenya
free mental health text helpline to enable people to access mental health information.
According to Wafula the number of people seeking information
it was. I was diagnosed with Bipolar and depression. Thank you
on mental health and epilepsy has grown with time.
so much.”
“The SMS line began September last year and so far we have
According to Wafula mental health problems are not limited to
gotten 25,000 hits and sent information to around 11,000
age or gender.
people. The numbers will go higher, not because people
are getting sick, but because more people are looking for
information. These issues were already there but people did not
“It affects anybody; we get texts from old people, husbands,
wives, and young people. However depression, suicidal,
have any support or information hub,” she explains.
anxiety issues and self harm are very high. Unchecked bipolar
Such avenues have already provided powerful mental health
Wafula says.
support to more than 10, 000 Kenyans with visible powerful
improvements in their lives.
One of the beneficiaries of the foundation has this to say, “I was
really in a bad place and had run away from home not knowing
what was happening to me. One evening the feeling became
so intense and I decided to try the help line. It was 3 am and
I texted the contact for mental health support. He responded
almost immediately. He advised me to admit myself and gave
me all the necessary information needed for the process. I
always knew I had a mental condition but I did not know what
is also something that most people texting are enquiring about,”
Wafula did not limit herself, she started a blog in which she
shares her experiences with bipolar and epilepsy.
Wafula is not only a fighter but a winner, last year (2014) she
won the Google Africa Award that was preceded by the East
Africa Philanthropy Youth Award at EAAG Gala in 2013.
Google Africa Award is awarded to contesters who have used
web and Google to transform lives in Africa. Each winner
receives $25,000 (KSh 2.5 Million) in prize funds, as well as,
expert assistance from Google to help make the impact of their
THE SEED - VOL 27, No. 10 OCTOBER 2015
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