To mark World Mental Health Day on 10 October, CPSP has released its official trailer for a new documentary exploring the hidden impact of suicide on individuals and communities in Kenya.
Warning: this article discusses suicide, which some people may find distressing. To find a local helpline, please visit www.findahelpline.com
Content warning: suicide
Kuyo: The Sadness We Carry explores the unseen effects of suicide and attempted suicide in Kenya – on individuals, families, and communities.
“Kuyo” is a Dholuo (Luo) word meaning sadness or to be sorrowful. It captures the quiet weight of grief, memory, and the burdens we carry.
Through the stories of two young women who lost their husbands to suicide, the documentary shows how stigma has been built and strengthened over many years, by culture, by silence, and by laws that punished, rather than helped, people.
The film highlights how cultural and religious beliefs influence people’s reactions and explains the significance of Kenya’s recent move to decriminalise attempted suicide.
It also highlights a growing reality in Kenya and around the world: more men are dying by suicide, often because they feel they must appear strong and cannot show their struggles.
The film was written and directed by CPSP filmmaker Heshani Sothiraj Eddleston, who set out to explore the impact of suicide on those left behind, and to consider how stigma and the inability to openly grieve may affect them.
Ultimately, the documentary calls for a society where people in crisis are supported, where families can grieve without shame, and where understanding replaces judgement.
Reflecting on the filmmaking process, Heshani Sothiraj Eddleston said:
“When I began researching attempted suicide as a crime in Kenya, the story seemed clear: we needed better reporting and data, and suicide needed to be treated as a health issue, not a crime. In January 2025, Kenya decriminalised attempted suicide. However, despite this major step forward, we realised that colonial law had shaped culture and religion, contributing to judgement and stigma for survivors and grieving families.
“My Kenyan colleagues wanted to call the film “Kuyo”: the grief we carry, the silent pain behind a violent act. The film offers a glimpse into grief. I hope it resonates with anyone who has experienced this loss and helps us approach suicide with greater understanding and compassion.”
The film was produced in collaboration with the Centre for Environment Justice and Development (CEJAD), CPSP’s delivery partner in Kenya. Fredrick Otieno, Programme Officer at CEJAD, said:
“Suicide affects individuals, families and communities, with the circumstances behind each experience being often complex and deeply personal. While Kenya has taken an important step towards decriminalising attempted suicide, there is still a need for more open and compassionate conversations around it.
“This film is important because it explores the realities surrounding suicide in Kenya, including how culture and religion can influence how people understand suicide, loss and grief. Suicide is a broader public health issue, and we cannot prevent what we are afraid to talk about.”
The documentary will be officially released with a screening and discussion in Nairobi on Friday 23 October. For further information and to book your place, click here.
Further reading
The power of storytelling: how documentaries inspire change
Learning to open up: A personal journey through suicide and grief in Kenya
The Power of Compassionate Storytelling and Safe Spaces for Change and Healing
Different Stories, Same Silence: Reflections on Generations, Gender and Suicide
How families, social media, and health systems shape suicide in Kenya
Suicide, Grief, Stigma and Shame: The inadvertent role religion plays within communities