Subject: MULTI-AGENCY APPROACH TOWARDS MITIGATION OF RISING SUICIDE CASES AMONG THE YOUTH

AWARE  THAT Section 226 of the Penal Code Cap. 63 of the Kenya Law provides that any person who attempts to kill himself/herself is guilty of a misdemeanor; NOTING THAT; according to the Kenya Ministry of Health Suicide Prevention Strategy 2021-2026, Suicide has multifaceted causes as is often a result of a convergence of genetic, bio-physiological, psychological, socioeconomic, cultural and other risk factors; ACKNOWLEDGING THAT, with established links of suicide behaviors and mental health, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis with a breakdown in the ability to deal with life stresses, such as financial problems, relationship break-up or chronic pain and illness;  SYMPATHIZING THAT the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in Kenya 1,408 people commit suicide yearly, translating to 4 deaths daily, FURTHER SYMPATHIZING that in every 4 deaths, 3 are male constituting a male /female gender ratio of 3:1 with average age being 35 years, ranging from the ages of 17 to 73 years; COGNIZANT THAT an inter-governmental and multi-agency approach needs to be deployed with an aim of reducing deaths by suicide and suicidal behavior by mitigating factors that increase suicide risk and increasing factors that promote resilience; this ASSEMBLY THEREFORE urges the County Executive to;-
  1. Engage the Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies towards implementing the National Policies and Guidelines on suicide prevention in the county; and,
  2. Introduce programs and interventions for suicide prevention and management in the County for consideration in the subsequent Annual Development plan for implementation;
Notice of Motion 31st October, 2023
Mover Hon. Peter Mwangi, MCA
Seconder Hon. Ami Ambala, MCA
Division
Dates Debated and/or Concluded 7th November, 2023
Remarks Approved
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