Teachers ask for gender desks to aid in mental health

Female teachers in Trans Nzoia County want the Teachers' Service Commission (TSC) to set up a gender desk that will help address mental health issues among their colleagues.

The primary school teachers, who converged at Kitale School to assess the situation, said cases of poor mental health among female teachers are on the rise and could lead to potentially life-threatening situations for the affected.

"We are witnessing cases of depression among staff, with some battling financial constraints while others have domestic issues," said Patricia Melisa, a teacher.

Melisa noted that teachers require professional psycho-social support to manage the situation, which will also improve their service delivery in school.

"Most of these teachers are overwhelmed with a myriad of challenges from their homes and workplaces, and they have nowhere to turn to. We request a TSC gender desk in our county to handle the issues," said the Lessos Primary School teacher.

Trans Nzoia Chief Officer for Gender, Jane Wachwenge, challenged the female teachers always to speak out whenever they are overwhelmed instead of holding onto challenges for fear of ridicule.

"It is worrying that some female teachers are victims of abusive marriages and fear seeking solutions to the extent that some face life-threatening situations," observed Wachwenge.

She also challenged them to engage in income-generating ventures during their extra time, away from school, to supplement their income as one way of avoiding finance-related depression.