Basics to Stress Management

Journey of recovery from Depression

Alvis( not his real name) was in his late 20's when he committed suicide. At his age he had successfully attended college and graduated with high honors in civil and structural engineering from a top leading local University.

Through his studies, he led successful demonstrations and protests demanding registration and eventual recognition by the engineering regulatory commission (ERB) in vain. He tarmarcked for years trying to secure employment but every where he would submit his CV he was told his degree was not recognized by the engineering board of Kenya (EBK). A graduate engineer with a bright future was later found hanging on a tree lifeless. His friends say he died of frustration.

Eleanor another case. At 24, she was intelligent and promising, a popular teen among her female friends was envied by everyone. She had lived a life of seclusion but a known hard worker and go getter. Her life was cut shot in unfathomable way . Postmortem report revealed that she suffered from depression.

Documentation by World Health Organisation, WHO, indicates that suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds - 78 per cent of suicide-related deaths in 2015 occurred in low and middle- income countries.
As a head of an institution, I can easily get worried of an employee who reports to work at 5am daily and leaves late in the night or equally unsettling, sometimes one offers to volunteer extra hours on weekends and never signs for an off day to cater for his/her social life.

Punctuality and devotion to assignments are rare virtues and deserve hefty rewards.
However, one can be hiding a problem; social challenge behind punctuality and obsessive devotion to work or studies to an extent it interferes with the normal learning process of a child if its in academic circle or productivity at work place.
The cases of inexplicable death in the society is quite alarming. Suicide is on the rise and no one seems to be concerned with the situation or rather wants to address it on time. In the recent past, we have read a lot of reports in the media about people cutting shot their lives mysteriously. Sometimes I would want to read a note from them or have a sitting with such people just to find out what influences their actions. Unfortunately life is so cruel, its always late to wake someone from deep slumber to pump some sense in them or walk through their lives to ease their pressure.
If you are thinking of committing suicide, don't leave us with many questions than answers at our disposal. Help us end premature deaths by volunteering a share of your bile. I keep wondering as to why one would choose death over life. Wait, Please invite me for a discussion , perharps I can record an account of your life just to have a note with us that would help many understand more on what prompts such actions.
Samuel Munyasia spent most of his youthful days pastoring and in missionary service but now a retiree, he devotes his free time to counseling. Based in Kakamega town, Kenya, Munyasia a psychologist by training says he was forced into this service when his daughter committed suicide three years after college. According to Mr. Munyasia, loneliness and feeling of rejection can be threatening to teens.
Solutions to social problems lies with you. Its important to leave a healthy lifestyle and maintain a network of friends that can help you overcome personal fears. When faced with a traumatizing challenge, have a confidant to share with. Problems shared are half solved.
Take a walk in the park or in the neighborhood, this will help you socialize with nature and forget your challenges. Sometimes call on friends you trust most, go out for your favourite movie or enjoy a cold drink, it has a soothing effect. Concentrate on positive energy and avoid people who pull you back. Don't stay in loneliness, lonely places set's in negative thoughts.
According to professor David Richards of mental health services research at the University of Exeter, staying in touch with relatives and friends helps you have confidence to face difficulties and things that keep you worried. He notes that its important to exercise for at least 20 minutes daily.
Avoiding alcohol can as well work the magic. Taking alcoholic drinks doesn't't help you solve your problems, it makes you feel more depressed and only postpones your challenges. Face every challenge as it comes. You eill end up learning the ropes on the way. Religiosity plays a key role in settling depression. Its important to identify with a religious leader irrespective of your religious inclination. There's power in words. When you turn to your holy books you can easily find words of encouragement that can help you try and survive.