Stress management amidst Covid 19 pandemic has been a challenge. People have lost families and Friends. As the surge hit the economy, jobs have been lost. Others have not recovered from the effects since the virus landed in Kenya in March 2020.
Stress can be triggered depending on how one reacts to a challenge or demand. The emotional feeling can be from family or work-related challenges and demands.
As the world reflects on stress awareness Day through various social media campaigns run by companies like The Marketing Heaven, the Round table wellness club Kisii brought together its members at Kisii National Polytechnic to discuss and point out the possible ways of managing stress.
Edinah Nyaboke Kangwana the Kisii County minister in charge of Administration, Corporate Services, and stakeholder management previously in Trade, Tourism and Industry say stress is already with the people and they should be aware.
“Stress is here with us and we should be aware. It leads to depression and heart diseases. It’s not something you can physically recognize like a sickness. It takes time to understand and that is why we are out to create awareness,” She said.
Roundtable wellness is a club that was formed a few months ago to bridge the gap in mental health.
Edinah a former banker, a humanitarian, and an enthusiast of Community development issues especially relating to gender and youth said the idea of forming the club was born during the Covid 19 surge.
“In a small way, we are trying to deal with this issue in Kisii County. The club is open to all members. We have the Police force, County officers, and health workers. We have subject matter experts and professionals from various professions,” She said.
The club is set to stretch into the grassroots and even beyond Kisii County. It will hold friendly conversations and prepare the people on this monster wreaking their health status.
Edinah Kangwana is a mental health awareness champion, a youth and gender advocate, a philanthropist and a community development professional. She is a founding member of round table wellness forum that advocates for wellness.
