NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 28- For the men and women in the defence forces, the battle of the mind is one that is sometimes difficult to fight and successfully win.
Over the years many have struggled with mental illness issues borne of injuries from the front-line.
“This wellness centre has been borne of the experiences of the KDF in Somalia,” said the Chief of Defense Forces General Robert Kibochi on Wednesday.
While KDF has rehabilitation centre programs in all bases, it has constructed a wellness centre set to take care of more than Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but also targets civilians as well as children with special needs.
That centre has been unveiled today at the Lang’ata barracks by the commander in chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, and President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“The wellness centre and the sports complex are a true indication that the KDF is looking out for a wholesome approach to the welfare of its officers and servicemen and can even go a long way in helping the civilian population.
For servicemen like Corporal Daniel Nderitu daily look at life through new lenses. He no longer serves at the front line due to a head injury that left him blind, but he still serves in the military.
Every morning, before setting out for the business of the day, he sits with counsellors at the Kahawa Barracks just to let out what the eye can’t see.
” Ukiambiwa ufanya kazi huwezi kataa na ndio motisha mimi huwapa wenzangu kila siku kupitia experience yangu ya jiraha na yaliyofuatia kuhusu counseling hapa kambini, ” he says.
In Gilgil, Corporal Wekoba also has a new posting; that of clerical duties as well as counseling his peers and their families especially just before they head out on tours of duty to foreign lands.
Despite his life challenges, he believes that by giving counseling sessions to his fellow officers at the Tank battalion in Gilgil, he will give hope to any soldier suffering physically or mentally.
Each of the tens of hundreds of barracks around the country have wellness centers, but the Kenya Defence Forces has a referral facility. Its construction began in 2018 and is the largest referral centre that the KDF says will be key in pre and post-war experiences.
For many who escape the physical scars of war the battle in the mind creates a new war that sometimes few lose but even those with physical injuries they say accepting the new status leaves them “battling fire in the mind.”
” This facility is expected to use more experts and give a wide range of mental health issues that will be of great help to the officers,” said the President.
The facility is to also care for children born with special needs such as autism, and guide parents to care for such children.
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