The Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting economic recession have negatively affected many people’s mental health resulting to skyrocketing cases of murder and suicide in institutions of higher learning across the Country.
According to to Mount Kenya University (MKU) co-founder and board member, Dr. Jane Nyutu, the widespread stress caused by the pandemic demonstrates the need to establish counseling units to help learners cope with mental health challenges.
“Many incidents of suicide, murders linked to illicit relationships, violence directed at teachers and parents, as well as drug and substance abuse, have spiked during the pandemic,” she said.
MKU has established a Mind and Beyond Counseling Centre to tackle mental health issues among students and youth in society.
Nyutu said that the pandemic has affected differently-abled persons more than other segments of the population making the university in partnership with TV47, an associate, to air Beyond the Limit programme that tells stories of people who are abled differently.
MKU founder and Chairman, Prof Simon Gicharu, says creating a conducive environment for all students is one of the university’s commitments.
Nyutu said the new MKU Convention Centre has a sitting capacity for 2,000 people and will support the region in hosting drama festivals, local and international conferences, public lectures as well as community gatherings.
Nyutu was speaking during MKU’s 19th graduation ceremony where 6,556 students graduated, 3,505 being male 3,051 female.
Among these were 10 Doctors of Philosophy (PhD) graduands, 165 Masters Degrees students, 130 Postgraduate Diplomas, 4,678 Bachelor’s Degrees, 1,192 Diplomas and 381certificate holders.
