Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Matters Disability Updated: 26 September 2025 16:11 EAT
In line with global efforts for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month this September, Signs TV’s “The Voice Show” features two mental health experts who sheds light on the challenges and solutions surrounding mental well-being.
The show hosted Katrine San, a mental health specialist from the Philippines, and Clare Fuller, an occupational therapist from the UK, based at Pamoja Mental Health and Safeguarding Organisation.
Both guests offered unique insights into the realities of mental health care. Fuller, who has a passion for mental health in Kenya, expressed her belief that people with disabilities, despite facing barriers, can still lead fulfilling lives.
San, who is also a trained nurse, highlighted a critical issue common to both Kenya and her home country, the Philippines: mental health services are severely underfunded and highly stigmatized.
This lack of support and understanding motivated her to specialize in the field. Fuller shared a similar inspiration, recalling how her first job working with people with physical and learning disabilities opened her eyes to their immense capabilities, regardless of the barriers they faced.
The experts discussed varying challenges of mental health across different cultures. San explained that in developing nations like the Philippines, many people still hold onto myths that mental illness is a curse or a form of possession, or that it will simply be healed by God.
This is in contrast to the United Kingdom, where there is a greater level of general knowledge and awareness. However, Fuller noted that even in the UK, stigma remains a major problem, one that people with mental health issues must constantly confront.
Both experts stressed the importance of a nuanced approach, acknowledging that mental health issues affect different groups, women, men, children, and people with disabilities in unique ways, requiring tailored support.
They agreed that good mental health begins with self-awareness and finding a healthy balance in life.
According to the World Health Organization (2019), suicide is a global public health crisis and the fourth leading cause of death among individuals aged 15-29. The statistics are alarming, with an estimated 700,000 people dying by suicide annually, a number that is tragically rising each year.
Suicide attempts are also alarmingly frequent, occurring about 20 times more often than completed suicides.
You can watch a repeat of this discussion on Signs TV at 3 PM on Sunday. The show is also available on all our social media platforms at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ascnNuLdek and https://web.facebook.com/share/v/17AqsNJc8X/
Tags: Signstvkenya Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Pamoja Mental Health & Safeguarding Network Editor's Pick
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Selestine Nyongesa
Experienced and versatile writer, dedicated to using my exceptional writing and editing skills to inform and advocate. My work focuses on educating and entertaining readers on a range of topics, with a particular expertise in matters of disability.