Dennis Ombachi Opens Up On Bipolar And ADHD Journey
Kenyan rugby champion Dennis Ombachi has opened up about his mental health journey in an interview with the Olympics to mark World Mental Health Day in 2022.
Ombachi is a renowned rugby player who scored a try against Zimbabwe which certified Kenya into the Rio 2016 Olympics.
To many, he was a celebrated rugby Olympian with a great and promising career, yet he suffered severe mental health issues that his fans and many others, were oblivious to.
In 2021, Ombachi divulged that he was diagnosed with bipolar, and after a couple of therapy sessions, he was told that he is bipolar and he has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
The theme for 2022 World Mental Health Day has been “Make mental health and well-being for all a global priority.” Ombachi has shed a bright light on the imperative pointers about mental health.
These challenges and aspects need to be countered to break the stigma around the disorder. The rugby player-cum-chef stated that mental health in Kenya is perceived as a “curse or witchcraft.”
The talented chef remembers his days back in high school when he was bullied to the point he ran away from school. He stayed in Nairobi, 300km away from home, as a street kid for a week.
When he managed to get back home, he was taken to another school. That is where and when he began his rugby career.
Ombachi recalls his suicidal attempts which he shared frankly and confidently. One day, when alone in his room, he was overwhelmed with suicidal thoughts and he took about 20 painkillers.
He reveals that he didn’t intend to kill himself, rather, he wanted to harm himself. After this painful incident, he soldiered on with the matches and coincidentally scored the winning try that saw Kenya off to the Olympics.
During the 2017/2018 season, he was still nursing his broken leg. He suffered another breakdown, brought about by all the feelings of loneliness, worthlessness, and missing out as his colleagues were at the pitch proudly representing Kenya.
He was also thinking about the financial consequences that came with being injured and not playing. All these dawned on him and he decided to slit his wrist with a knife. Another suicide attempt.
He moved from one psychiatric ward to another. He dealt with spiraled breakdowns because he was taking his medications inconsistently. He indulged in drugs and smoking marijuana which he used as an escape from reality.
Due to disciplinary issues, he missed his team flights. When he broke his leg, he decided to drink the night away and not show up for the flight.
However, at dawn, he went to the airport and explained to his then-coach, Innocent Simiyu, what he was going through. He went back to the psychiatric hospital and after one month, he was as fit as a fiddle.
He joined his team and traveled for his first world cup.
Quite nostalgic about this specific suicide attempt-that was his turning point- Ombachi remembered the day he broke a piece of floor tile and slashed his arms.
His girlfriend was eight months expectant with their second child. She rushed him to the hospital. She was in such anguish that it almost induced labor. Something that the father of two, vehemently regrets.
After that tragic and traumatizing event, Ombachi turned his life around. He took his medication seriously and also got therapy. He revealed that he has been stable for a while and he intends to keep it that way. Carpentry and cooking made him feel human again.
He has urged everyone to speak up because mental health disorder is a disease like any other.
He has used his social media as a platform to share his story. If you are going through any mental health issues, please get the professional assistance required from a qualified expert.
BY CHRISTINE OMONDI
Tags: Mental Health Signstv Dennis Ombachi Bipolar Adhd
