Breaking the Silence: Introducing a Series of Blogs on Stigma, Grief, and Suicide in Kenya

*Warning: This article discusses suicidal behaviour. If you have questions on self-harm or feel suicidal, use this link to find an international helpline.*

We launched this blog series on World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September) – a time to reflect, speak openly, change narratives, and break the silence that surrounds suicide.

Over the past month, we have shared deeply personal reflections by team members at CEJAD (Centre for Environment Justice and Development), exploring the pain of suicide loss and the stigma, shame, and cultural expectations that shape how suicide is understood and grieved in Kenyan communities.

The series grew from a shared journey with CPSP’s filmmaker, Heshani Sothiraj Eddleston, as they began exploring the possibility of making a new film on suicide and grief in Kenya.

As part of this, the team screened Her Name Was Sita – a powerful short documentary set in Nepal which explores how shame, honour, and culture can lead to heart-breaking choices. 

The screening opened space for honest, often emotional conversations, about suicide, silence, and mourning.

Though the film came from a different context, it deeply resonated with those who attended.

It helped everyone to listen more closely, reflect more deeply, and begin to understand how to tell these stories in a way that honours grief with care and compassion.

The series concludes on World Mental Health Day (10 October) as we honour the broader journey toward healing, awareness, and mental well-being.

Mental health is a human right and telling these stories is one step toward building a more compassionate, informed, and supportive society.

We invite you to read the blogs in the series as we publish them.

Part 1 of 5: Learning to open up: A personal journey through suicide and grief in Kenya. by Fredrick Otieno

Part 2 of 5:  The Power of Compassionate Storytelling and Safe Spaces for Change and Healing by Candy Margaret Vizengwa

Part 3 of 5:  Different Stories, Same Silence: Reflections on Generations, Gender and Suicide by Lynette Ouya

Part 4 of 5:  How families, social media, and health systems shape suicide in Kenya by Mwikali Mwanzia

Part 5 of 5:  Suicide, Grief, Stigma and Shame: The inadvertent role religion plays within communities by Sherry Kochiyo