ABOUT USP-Kenya

 

Users and Survivors of Psychiatry in Kenya is a local non-profit making Voluntary Organization registered in 2007.

 

It was established with the main objective of promoting and advocating for the rights of users and survivors of psychiatry in Kenya; to enable them live and work as productive members of society

 

The term “user” refers to a person who uses psychiatric services or is undergoing treatment for mental disorder(s).  The term “survivor” refers to a person who has been treated or recovered from mental disorder(s) – a person who has survived the experience of utilizing mental health services, even where the person is not totally free of the mental disorder but has found other ways of coping besides the psychiatric services. 

 

The initial stages of establishing the organization were a joint effort between a group of founder members– all who had experienced mental health difficulties in their lives.

 

In addition to the founder group members, were also members of the Pan-African Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (PAN-USP) and other mental health organizations mainly Basic Needs UK in Kenya and Schizophrenia Foundation of Kenya. 

 

Basic Needs UK in Kenya played a major role in the first three years of USP-Kenya operations, especially by involving USP-Kenya in projects targeting PWMIs (Persons With Mental Illness) through partnerships and also through capacity building.  The first project that USPKenya has received funding directly without being partnership with Basic Needs UK in Kenya is the EMPOWER project (www.globalmentalhealth.org), a project that started in September 2010

 

USP-Kenya is affiliated with the World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (www.wnsup.net) and its African affiliate the Pan-African Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry.

 

VISION


‘A world in which people affected by mental illnesses are not only treated with honour and dignity, but realize their potential.’

 

MISSION


‘To be the world’s leading forum and voice of people affected by mental illnesses, to promote their rights and interests.’

 

MISSION STATEMENT


'To enable people affected by mental illnesses live and work successfully in their communities.’

 

MAIN OBJECTIVES OF USPKENYA

1. Advocate for the advancement of human rights for persons with mental illnesses through various lobbying and advocacy initiatives targeting the government, medical fraternity, insurance companies and other service providers.

 

2. Provision of national and regional representation and consultation to influence matters that affect persons with mental illnesses.

 

3. Encourage the development of local users/survivor groups at grass root and national levels.

 

4. Facilitate effective information exchange among users/survivor groups in and beyond.

 

5. Develop network opportunities for individuals and groups of individuals and groups of users and survivors of psychiatry in Kenya and beyond.

 

6. Provide advice on prevention and treatment of mental illnesses to equip people affected by mental illnesses to demand for the right treatment.

 

USPKenya is an umbrella body that incorporates Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and Self Help Groups (SHGs) made up of persons with mental illnesses and their care givers.

 

 

These are mainly persons from poor backgrounds from informal settlements around major urban centres like Nairobi and from poor rural communities.

 

 

For such people, meeting the basic needs such as food and shelter is a challenge, and accessing mental health services and information is out of their reach.

 

 

 

Some of those CBOs are in formation stages while others have already gone through the stages of formation and registration pending the formalization of their membership with USPKenya.

 

 

The average number of members per CBO is 25. USP-Kenya also accommodates individual members, who are often persons with mental illness or care givers from all classes of society, who may or may not be in a position to afford to meet their basic needs but are still affected by the stigma and burden brought about by their illnesses. Some of them have good education – sometimes up to university level – but are often unable to access the job market because of the handicaps resulting from their mental health conditions. A few of them have jobs but are grappling with issues of stigma and discrimination

 

 

The board draws its members from the membership and is comprised of 9 members, drawn from both CBO and individual members.

 

 

Majority of the board members who are at the helm of USPKenya are university graduates and other professionals, some who lost their jobs along the way as a result of their illnesses while others are still working despite living with mental illness.

 

 

All these board members volunteer their time, resources and expertise in different fields.

 

USPKenya operates from their offices in Kangemi in the outskirts of Nairobi, within the PCEA church compound.

 

Basic Needs UK in Kenya is an international NGO that seeks to ensure that the basic needs of people with mental illnesses are met. The organization operates in Kenya and assisted USPKenya to launch the activities in Kangemi by donating an office and office equipment on a site which was donated by the PCEA church, Kangemi. It is run by a Community Development Assistant (CDA), who is assisted by part time employees and volunteers and occasionally, interns from local universities and other tertiary institutions.

 

The CDA also facilitates meetings held by groups of Users/Survivors and care givers and support group sessions.


The premises also comprise a meeting hall that is used for group meetings as well as for training members of the groups in life skills such as leadership, group dynamics, income generating activities, report and proposal writing and other skills.

 

 

Since the groups are registered as community based organizations (CBOs) with the Ministry of Gender, Culture, Children and Social Services, Social Development Officers, Community Development Assistants and other government officials from the districts where the groups operate assists with their annual registration renewals, management and resolving of conflicts amongst the members.

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