So as to not leave you completely without pictures for this blog, I am showing you a picture of the covered basketball court with a racquet ball court behind it. This is our missionary compound referred to by some as "the suburbs of Tenwek." In comparison, our standard of living is much higher than the surrounding communities. It feels very much like living in a college dorm in some ways. We have hired help to do cooking and cleaning, a guesthouse activity room with a projector and board games galore, and a small souvenir shop called a "duka." If you receive a gift from me, there is a good chance I will get it from this shop!
But I digress...I wanted to talk about my time spent with Edna, the only trained counselor at Tenwek Hospital. She is not a social worker, per se, but she has a bachelor's degree in psychology and hopes to return to school within the next few weeks to begin a master's in counseling psychology. Edna works alongside the chaplains for short-term counseling and follow-up spiritual care with the patients. Since she knows I have a degree as a mental health professional, she basically gave me free range of any English speaking patients.
I spoke to one man who was recovering in the hospital after a suicide attempt while intoxicated. From what I have seen, his story speaks for many other people who struggle with substance use in Kenya. He reported that he was riddled with guilt because, although he worked hard 6 days a week, he was trapped in a cycle of drinking away all of his hard earned money during his day off. Although he was not a daily drinker, he fit many of the criteria for alcohol abuse, including:
But I digress...I wanted to talk about my time spent with Edna, the only trained counselor at Tenwek Hospital. She is not a social worker, per se, but she has a bachelor's degree in psychology and hopes to return to school within the next few weeks to begin a master's in counseling psychology. Edna works alongside the chaplains for short-term counseling and follow-up spiritual care with the patients. Since she knows I have a degree as a mental health professional, she basically gave me free range of any English speaking patients.
I spoke to one man who was recovering in the hospital after a suicide attempt while intoxicated. From what I have seen, his story speaks for many other people who struggle with substance use in Kenya. He reported that he was riddled with guilt because, although he worked hard 6 days a week, he was trapped in a cycle of drinking away all of his hard earned money during his day off. Although he was not a daily drinker, he fit many of the criteria for alcohol abuse, including:
A maladaptive pattern of alcohol abuse leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one or more of the following, occurring within a 12-month period:
- -Recurrent alcohol use resulting in failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home.
- -Recurrent alcohol use in situations in which it is physically hazardous.
- -Recurrent alcohol-related legal problems.
- -Continued alcohol use despite persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the alcohol
On this particular occasion, his combination of guilt and drunkenness lead him to take poison out of frustration and desperation. He said he was very sorry for what he had done and did not ever want it to happen again. We identified that he did not want his life to end, but rather wanted to end the pain and guilt caused by his drinking. We made a recovery plan: he wanted to give up his drinking for good and commit to go to his church on his day off. I validated that his hard work should be rewarded during his day off, but brainstormed other ways to enjoy life without drinking. We also brainstormed what roadblocks may keep him from maintaining sobriety. For many people struggling to make a lifestyle change, social interactions and the environment in which they surround themselves can make or break recovery. He affirmed that even if his friends offered to buy him alcohol free of charge, he would refuse. At the end of the encounter, we prayed together. He repeatedly expressed his gratitude that I spent my time with him.
What I find most different with this experience from counseling in the States is the integration of the expectation of spiritual growth. About 75% of Kenyan citizens are Christians, which makes broaching the subject of spirituality less awkward. I think Tenwek demonstrates a good contrast between US culture, which often neglects the spiritual wellness of a person when considering recovery. It boggles my mind how people can be so individualistic as to believe they can actually do it alone without God's help and stren Jesus said, "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" -Mark 8:36
What I find most different with this experience from counseling in the States is the integration of the expectation of spiritual growth. About 75% of Kenyan citizens are Christians, which makes broaching the subject of spirituality less awkward. I think Tenwek demonstrates a good contrast between US culture, which often neglects the spiritual wellness of a person when considering recovery. It boggles my mind how people can be so individualistic as to believe they can actually do it alone without God's help and stren Jesus said, "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" -Mark 8:36