The 6th cohort of Essential Counselling Skills Program.

The 6th cohort of Essential Counselling Skills Program for Human Resource Management  and  Development Officers and line managers from MDA’s & Counties officially kicked off today at the Kenya School of Government ( KSG) Embu Campus.
Speaking on behalf of the Principal Secretary during the official opening, the Secretary Administration, State Department for Public Service Mr. Munyembo Mwachala   said that the current mental health trends in the country pose a great concern with the rising number of suicidal cases.
The public service being no exception is facing rising incidences of psychological disorders, depression and substance use disorder (SUD) which has led to the increasing frequencies of suicide, homicide and femicide cases among the public servants which in turn impacts negatively on work productivity.
He said the government of Kenya introduced guidance and counselling services in the public service in 2006 to provide professional support to officers in resolving their emotional and workplace issues.
Therefore, the Programme is specifically tailored for the human resource management and development officers and line managers who interact with public servants in their respective departments on a daily basis and therefore are at a vantage point to identify employees experiencing psychological challenges and offer Psychological First Aid (PFA) or refer appropriately. 
State Department for Public Service has trained 701 mental health champions in all Ministries Departments and Agencies who are doing a commendable job of providing psycho-social support to public servants in their respective workplaces. 
He reiterated that the programme is timely and aims to equip champions with basic counselling skills that are key in preventing and managing mental health and wellbeing issues of public servants at the workplace.  
In attendance was Ag. Secretary/Department of Counseling & Wellness Services Madam Grace Wanjiku and Deputy Director Embu Campus Dr. Fredrick Mukabi.