Today, Lynette Ouya, Project Officer with CEJAD shares her reflections about how suicide impacts genders differently and issues around stigma, shame and grief.
This the third part of a five-part blog series: Breaking the Silence – Reflections on Stigma, Grief, and Suicide in Kenya. Read the full series introduction here.
*Warning: This article discusses suicidal behaviour. If you have questions on self-harm or feel suicidal, use this link to find an international helpline.*
The CEJAD team in Kenya with filmmaker Heshani Sothiraj Eddleston
Why I said Yes: A new chapter in our work at CEJAD
As a Project Officer with CEJAD’s Mercury Elimination Programme, I’m usually involved with the environmental health.
But when the opportunity came up to support the Her Name Was Sita film screening and help plan a new film on suicide, grief and stigma in Kenya, I was immediately drawn in.
It all started during a CEJAD staff meeting when Mr Fredrick Otieno shared CPSP’s plans and invited anyone interested to join the team.
I didn’t hesitate to say yes.
What followed were regular online meetings led by CPSP’s filmmaker, Heshani Sothiraj Eddleston, who shared her vision and helped guide us through what would be required.
For many of us, it was a new experience—but one that resonated deeply.
We embraced the challenge wholeheartedly with genuine interest and commitment.
More Than Logistics: A deeply meaningful act of planning
The planning process was exciting, but also emotionally and logistically demanding.
From budgeting for both the screening and scoping visit, to identifying participants, inviting panelists, confirming interviews, and even sourcing videographers and refreshments – it was a lot to hold.
At times, it felt overwhelming.
Some people I reached out to declined to participate, which was disheartening and a reminder of just how heavy and complex this subject is for many.
When Heshani arrived in Kenya, the pressure was high.
I was one of two people who took her to see the auditorium, and we were all anxious it would meet expectations.
I was also nervous about attendance – after all our efforts, would people show up?
Looking back, the scoping visit felt more manageable.
The screening carried more emotional weight and pressure, but the experience pushed us out of our comfort zones and reminded us just how important and meaningful this work is.
Her Name Was Sita film screening and panel discussion in Kenya
Her Name Was Sita: A Mirror to Generational Pain and Healing
Much of what was shared during the screening and discussions echoed reflections from my colleagues – that suicide in Kenya is often driven by financial hardship, relationship struggles, societal pressure, and emotional distress.
But what struck me most was how trauma and stigma quietly pass from one generation to the next.
When grief is left unspoken, silence becomes inherited, deepening the emotional burden on families and communities.
Her Name Was Sita held up a mirror to this, bringing home the complex and deeply layered nature of suicide – one that is more than an individual tragedy but a reflection of long-standing social silences.
The space after the screening was provided a very safe environment where people shared openly, often for the first time, and were met with understanding and support.
It reminded me healing starts with listening and being heard.
Voices from the community: Men, stigma, and gaps in mental health care
As part of the scoping team, I traveled to four counties – Kisii, Migori, Kakamega, and Siaya.
One of the most striking observations was the intersection between gender and vulnerability in suicide cases.
In all the counties, a clear pattern emerged: men were disproportionately affected by suicide.
Most of the community members we spoke to knew at least one man in their neighborhood who had died by suicide.
The leading causes cited were relationship struggles and financial hardships.
Hanging was the most common method reported. Another critical issue that surfaced was the glaring gap in mental health support systems at the community level.
There is little to no structured support for individuals experiencing mental health challenges or for survivors of suicide attempts.
Families of those who have died by suicide often grieve in silence and shame, receiving little to no support from their communities and are left to cope alone.
Several survivors, feeling even more isolated and stigmatised, told us that if they attempt suicide again, they would make sure it was fatal.
This underscores an urgent need for community-based interventions, such as posters in local languages with the contact details of local organisations that provide mental health and psychosocial support.
Many people we spoke weren’t aware that attempted suicide had been decriminalised in Kenya.
For them, the new law felt distant or irrelevant, indicating a significant information gap.
This highlights the critical need for grassroots awareness campaigns to help communities understand the legal changes and how they can access support.
Looking ahead with hope
This experience reminded me that while legal change is important, true progress requires cultural change and community-level support.
We must normalise mental health conversations, provide communities with tools for support and intentionally include gender-sensitive approaches in suicide prevention, especially with the higher vulnerability among men.
For me, this wasn’t just a project.
It was a personal and professional awakening.
I’m proud to have played a part in this initiative, and I am even more committed to continuing the work because every story, every voice, and every safe space we create brings us one step closer to healing.
About the author:
Lynette A. Ouya holds a Master’s degree in Planning (Urban and Regional) and currently serves as a Project Officer at the Centre for Environment Justice and Development (CEJAD).
At CEJAD, she leads the implementation of projects on Mercury Elimination, working with communities and policymakers to reduce exposure to vulnerable populations. She has over six years of experience in community engagement and outreach, research, capacity building, advocacy, project management, and counselling gained while serving as a community development practitioner in various capacities in the past.
