Stress can be Managed - Julius 19

Dealing with many Losses

Julius, 28 years of age and resides in Nairobi, was on the verge of committing suicide when he called 1190. I lost my house as it was built on riparian land. I also lost my job and car was repossessed by the bank owing to my inability to finish paying his mortgage. Within a very short period of time, I had been rendered homeless and was forced to live on the streets. I lost all hope and I felt very depressed.

My Early Childhood Life

I was born out of wedlock. Sadly, my mother abandoned me at the tender age of nine years. She remarried and was now living with his step-father in Australia. I was raised by an aunt and other relatives from my maternal side. For the better part of his childhood and into the early years of adult life, I did not know my father. My father remarried and has another family here in Kenya. I did not have any relationship with my paternal relatives.

My School Life

One very significant and very positive aspect in my life was passing my KCPE and being admitted to a national school. However, my relatives were against the idea of me going to the school I got selected in, citing lack of enough funds to cater for his school fees and instead proposing that he attend a district school near his village. This really crushed me and it was at this point in my life that I first thought of ending my life as I felt unwanted.

Soon after, I met a priest in whom I confided my woes and as good fortune would have it, the priest chose to support me through school where I studied for four years. I performed very well in my KCSE examinations well, scoring an “A” grade. In spite of this achievement, I still felt rejected and worthless. I was then called to the University of Nairobi to pursue Medicine, a course I pursued for two years before dropping out to pursue my passion which was Art and Design.

The Present Scenarios

At the moment, having had so many losses in my life, I was at the streets pondering on what to do, then I saw an advert written 1190, a toll-free tele-counselling platform that helps one to deal with mental health challenges. I dialed the number and expressed how I was feeling. By luck, the counselor who attended to me really took time to listen to me and provide guidance. She invited me for a face-to-face counselling which I went. As we were discussing, I felt heard and at least I became hopeful that things will turn out for the better. True to my instinct, the many sessions we had have really contributed to my positive mindset as I no longer look down on myself.

Life seemed  promising

One day, a good Samaritan found me in the streets, invited me to his house, gave me something to wear and a place to temporarily live. Life seemed so promising, I gained confident and tried applying for a job at a printing company which I got employed. Right now, I am taking one day at a time reminiscing on the far I have come. It is never over until it is over.