By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
16 December 2025 - First ever mental health initiative was held in Garissa which aims to end stigma and encourage open conversations and promote help-seeking among locals amid growing mental health concerns.
The meeting which was convened by Nimo Yussuf, a counselling psychologist was dubbed "Naafis Night" in a women only meeting that was designed for women to share open conversations amongst themselves.
She however noted that she will work with different community members as her way of giving back to the community after working with various health entities including Mathari Mental Hospital and Doctors Without Borders (Medicines Sans-Frontiers) amongst others.
The event whose guest of honour was Umulkheir Harun, the ODM nominated member of parliament was also attended by professionals both from Government and Non-government as entrepreneurs.
The psychologist who is also a founder of Safe Haven said the event is to create awareness amongst locals noting that when people are aware about mental health is when its conversation becomes normal and people can seek help.
“Many a times in our communities when girls and women are facing anxiety or depression, they are taken to Ilaj centres (for reading the Quran) . It's not a bad idea but we also need to seek mental health from counselors,” she said.
Nimo said mental empowerment means prioritising one’s mental state before anything to get better to do better in their field of operations including taking good care of their own families.
“You need to work on the well-being of your mind so that you are productive in your work, in your families and everything else you do,” she said.
Naafis in Somali is letting out which the convener said was having the attendees let out anything without any judgment, she noted that the events will be held annually.
The events she noted besides being a mental health initiative is also for networking and getting to know different people.
The safe haven will hold similar events in Nairobi in January and also a documentary covering drug abuse, while appreciating everyone who turned up for the meeting.
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Umulkheir Harun, the nominated MP said it is encouraging for women to come together to speak not only about mental health issues but about other empowerment projects adding that she will support such kinds of initiatives.
“Mental health initiative is rarely talked about but it's most important because if your state of mental health is not okay then you cannot do anything,” said the lawmaker.
Umulkheir also attributed the county’s high divorce rate to mental health challenges, noting that stress from job loss and postpartum depression can contribute to mental issues and individuals need to seek help from psychologists.
The open discussions also revolved around sexual based violence including defilement that has also been on the rise with experts from Garissa referral hospitals urging for immediate referral to hospital.
Reproductive Health and GBV Officer at Garissa referral hospital Saadia Muktar said in case of defilement incident its prudent for a child to be taken to hospital without washing so that evidence is preserved.
“In our culture it's sad that we normally celebrate perpetrators and we condemn innocent children instead of providing psychological support, they need not to be isolated,” she said during the forum.
Zeitun Mohamed the founder of Northern Aid Development Agency (NADA) took the opportunity to sensitise on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) saying its harmful and impacts women resulting to high maternity mortality.
“The FGM is now medicalised which still have implications to women and girls,” she added.
Naafis Night: Women-Only Event Tackles Mental Health, GBV in Garissa
New Mental Health Initiative in Garissa Aims to Promote Open Conversations
