NA NICKSON TOSI
Betty Cynthia Wanjiku Njihia alijaribu kujitoa uhai mara sita na kupanga mazishi yake kutokana na na machungu aliyokuwa anayapitia maishani mwake .
Mshauri huyo wa maswala ya kiakili alizungumza ktika mahojiano na mmoja wa wanahabari ili kuelezea safari yake ya maisha kama njia ya kutoa ushauri kwa wale wanaopitia katika shida kama hizo.
“You wouldn’t attempt suicide six times and plan your funeral and not want to see what life has in store for you,” Alisema Betty.
Baada ya jaribio lake la nne la kujitoa uhai kukonga mwamba,Njihia aligunduliwa na shida wa bi-polar,tatizo linalotajwa kuwa halina tiba na kusababisha madhara mengi katika mwili wake.
Betty anasema kuwa shida hiyo aliyokunduliwa nayo ilim,pa msukumo wa kutaka kujitoa uhai kwa sababu alikuwa na amani kuwa jaribio lake la tano lingefaulu.
“I was crystal sure because the method I was going to use for my fifth attempt was one that was ‘certified’ by so many people so I knew it would work. So I planned my funeral because I was bitter and I wanted people to know they were talking to a bitter person. I was bitter and hurt that I wanted people around me to feel it after I was gone,” alisema Betty Njihia.
Betty aidha anasema kuwa anajutia sana kwa kujaribu kujitoa uhai ,swala ambalo aliliona kama njia ya kipekee ya kusuluhisha matatizo yaliyokuwa yanamkumba wakati huo.
Aidha alidokeza kutokana na unyanyapaa kutoka kwa jamii yake,ilitengeneza mambo kuwa magumu kwake.
“The stigma is terrible. At one point I told someone that I wanted to die, and it was actually in a hospital and this person told me that they have tablets so if I ever wanted to die they would have something that they would give me. Another point when I came out and I was fully strong, after people heard my story, there is a guy who texted me that he sells ropes and if I ever wanted to die, he’ll give me a rope,” alisema Betty.
Baada ya kutoka katika janga hilo lililokuwa limekumba kwa miaka ,Betty anasema aliamua kuanzisha kampuni ya kutoa ushauri kwa watu wanaokumbwa na matatizo kama hayo ya M.S.D Foundation mahali ambapo anazungumza na watu waliokumbwa na msongo wa mawazo .
“M.S.D. Foundation which is a safe space for everyone going through the storms of life and it’s an organization that spreads love and light to anyone going through a hard time and two it’s an organization that shows you it’s okay not to be okay and it also educates people on the types of mental illnesses, the causes and how to manage it,” alisema Betty.