Thoughts into Planning: Mental Health in Provision of Spaces
There is always something to be grateful about- health. While each county in Kenya hosts at least Level 5 hospital and numerous dispensaries and health centers, my town has a public mental health facility, located right in my neighborhood. One might ask why it is necessary to mix health and urban planning. Here is a narration that will help you envision how these two intertwin- mental health and planning.
Everyone goes through low days and low moments in life, the difference is in the time-span of these low feelings. Whenever there is a discussion on mental health, what pops up in everyone’s mind is stress, depression and on the extreme suicidal thoughts, or the common label of ‘wazimu’ which means insane. But all these could have underlying causes of long-term mental illnesses that some could be genetic. Ever thought of children in abusive homes? The trauma and fear of the world in their innocent hearts? The women and men equally in emotionally, financially and physically violent homes? Where do they all run to whenever the burden is so heavy to bear? Aside from the legal measures in every police department to take care of gender-based issues, does the government provide a safe house for these individuals?
The much we know about is that orphanages, safe houses, rehabilitation centres are mostly provided for by non-governmental and private-charity institutions, not to even mention the cost of therapy to help in the coping of mental disorders.
Development of any country should be wholesome, while physical disabilities are visual, mental disabilities are unseen. It is complex to begin unpacking the needs of those mentally challenged, but a clearer sample can be taken from those with cerebral palsy who manifest both physical and mental challenges, working out their needs for inclusivity, in public commutes, public parks, public health centres, public schools and generally amplify their safety and protection when using all these facilities.
What can planners do? The main goal of planning is for the people, planners ought to familiarize themselves with the different mix of people within a population. Maybe advocate for the disabled (mental and physical) inclusivity policies in spaces and its enforcement in practice? Or will they remain very good recommendations on a website while the reality speaks different. In the next issue of June 2024, we shall document on how politics play a very big role in the planning domain.
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