Article by Damaris Aswa | With Insights from CLINIC by Judah Njoroge
Approximately every 50 seconds, someone somewhere in the world dies by suicide. That’s over 700,000 lives lost each year as per World Health Organization (WHO) records; each one a silent battle that ended too soon. In Kenya, a lower-middle-income country, we share in the staggering 77% of global suicides occurring in similar economies. The World Bank places our national suicide mortality rate at 6 per 100,000 people; a figure that continues to rise and stir alarm across communities, institutions, and families.
So, what can we do? How do we begin to change the narrative?
The answer lies in prevention. A powerful, life-saving approach championed by the WHO. This article, “The Silent Battles We Cannot Ignore,” is my call to action. It’s a reflection, a reality check, and a journey through two transformative mental health models: The Garden of Mental Health—a concept I’ve developed inspired by nature, healing, and community—and The Clinic Model by mental health champion John Njoroge.
Let’s talk about the stories we don’t tell, the wounds we can’t see, and the hope we can still grow.
Please don’t scroll past this article.
Because behind too many smiles lie invisible scars. Behind too many strong faces, silent wars are waged daily, quietly, painfully. We’re living in a time where mental health crises are no longer distant stories; they’re right next to us, inside our homes, our friendships, our communities.
And yet, we barely whisper about them. The invisible war within.
Every day, countless people wake up and face a battle we cannot see. They carry the weight of past trauma, emotional wounds that haven’t healed, and the kind of pain that words fail to capture. From the outside, everything may seem “fine” but inside, it’s a different world entirely. The world judges what it doesn’t understand. It points fingers. It shames. It ignores.
But what if we could see it differently?
What if we stopped asking, “Why would someone take their own life?” and started asking, “How can I be a lifeline for someone in pain?” Because unless you’ve sat in the darkness, or watched someone you love spiral into it, you may never truly grasp the depths of despair. As Kenyan health leader Mutahi Kagwe once said during the COVID-19 outbreak :
“If we treat this normally, it will treat us abnormally.”
We can no longer afford silence.
And that’s why I’m introducing a Mental Health Garden. A living metaphor that some of you might have come across or heard of in your life.
Mental health, to me, is a garden; delicate, sacred, and deeply personal. Picture it with me:
At the garden’s forefront, a single vibrant flower blooms, its petals bursting with color, a symbol of resilience. Though storms have come, it still stands tall. Around it, encouraging whispers float:
“You are stronger than you think.”
“Healing takes time.”
“Every day is a new beginning.”
This is hope — gentle but fierce. The lifeline that anchors us when everything else feels like it’s falling apart.
Nearby, a majestic tree stretches its arms wide, offering shade and shelter. Its roots reach deep, just like the love of family, the care of friends, and the strength of supportive communities. Hanging from its branches are tiny but mighty reminders:
Love. Connection. Healing. Care.
Because no one should have to face their darkness alone.
Streams of Healing and Wings of Growth
Winding through the garden is a sparkling stream, reflecting the golden light of self-care and emotional release. Along its banks, smooth stones bear words we often forget in our busy lives:
“Breathe.”
“Reflect.”
“Nurture yourself.”
The stream reminds us that taking care of ourselves isn’t selfish — it’s necessary.
Above it all, butterflies glide through the air, each uniquely patterned, each a testament to transformation. They were once caterpillars — slow, vulnerable, unseen. Just like us. Growth is rarely comfortable, but like the butterfly, we, too, are destined to fly.
And in the distance, casting a gentle golden glow, is the sun. Its face soft and kind, radiating warmth over every leaf and stone. It is a promise, that even the longest night gives way to morning. That even in our worst moments, light will return.
Bridging the Garden and the Clinic: A Model for Healing
To complement the metaphor, let’s bring in a practical model — the CLINIC framework presented by Judah Njoroge. This structured approach reminds us that healing is not just poetic, but also intentional.
Note: The Garden represents the emotional, intuitive, and creative side of healing. It’s where growth is nurtured, where self-love blossoms, and where inner peace is cultivated through patience, compassion, and community. The Clinic, on the other hand, offers a structured, diagnostic, and reflective space — where we name our pain, analyze its roots, and develop strategies for managing or overcoming it. It’s a place of intentional healing, reflection, and action.
1. Self-Care as Our First Prescription
True self-care is not just a bubble bath or a walk in the park — it’s a courageous commitment to protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, especially during periods of stress. The CLINIC model breaks this down into key domains:
• Physical: Nourishing the body with rest, movement, and nutrition.
• Psychological: Addressing the mental load we carry, often silently.
• Emotional: Acknowledging and validating our feelings.
• Professional: Finding purpose and setting boundaries.
• Personal: Making space for joy and identity.
• Spiritual: Grounding ourselves in something greater: faith, nature, or purpose.
2. Diagnosing Our Emotional Landscape
Just like in a clinical setting, we must describe our mental health challenges with honesty. The CLINIC model guides us through:
• Step 1: Describe the situation — go deep.
• Step 2: Deliberate on signs and symptoms — what’s really going on, beneath the surface?
• Step 3: Make a diagnosis — identify the cause and effect with clarity.
• Step 4: Share and discuss — healing grows when we voice our truths.
In this process, we become both patient and healer. We recognize the complexity of our inner world, but we also reclaim power over it.
I believe an example would be better to explain this further.
Because learning practically is vital right? Now, picture a guiding scenario of a young woman facing burnout.
Part 1: In the Garden
Meet Amina, a 27-year-old youth mentor in Kilifi who’s always smiling, always giving, and always there for others. On the outside, she’s thriving. But internally, she feels numb, exhausted, and disconnected from herself. She’s not sleeping well. She cries alone, often without knowing why.
In her mental garden, the flowers are wilting. The stream of self-care has dried up. The butterflies of joy are nowhere to be seen. The tree of support, once grounded in friends and spiritual practice, feels like it’s losing its roots.
She realizes that her inner world is calling for help. And now, it’s time to visit the clinic within.
Part 2: In the Clinic
In this internal “clinic,” Amina takes herself through the CLINIC model as follows:
Step 1: Description
She pauses and honestly describes her situation.
“I feel overwhelmed. I dread waking up. I’m tired all the time, and I feel like I’ve lost myself.”
She reflects on how she’s been ignoring her own needs while serving others.
Step 2: Deliberation of Signs and Symptoms
She lists what she’s experiencing:
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Emotional outbursts
• Loss of interest in hobbies
• Social withdrawal
She also considers what she hasn’t been acknowledging. That she never says “no,” that she’s afraid of being seen as weak if she asks for help.
She explores possible causes: overworking, unresolved grief, lack of boundaries, internalized pressure to “have it all together.”
Step 3: Diagnosis
Based on her reflections, she identifies burnout and emotional fatigue as key issues. She sees the cause-effect chain clearly:
• No boundaries → Overworking → Fatigue → Withdrawal → Depression-like symptoms
She realizes she’s running on empty because she hasn’t watered her own garden.
Step 4: Discussion
Amina shares this with a friend, a peer counselor, or even writes it in a journal. Talking it out gives her a sense of clarity. She feels seen. The clinic visit worked.
Returning to the Garden
Now, Amina returns to her garden — but this time, she’s not just noticing the decay. She’s tending to it:
• She waters her soul by resting and journaling.
• She plants seeds of joy by returning to her love for painting.
• She invites butterflies by reconnecting with supportive friends.
• She nurtures the tree by setting boundaries and seeking therapy.
• She sits by the stream, repeating affirmations like: “It’s okay to rest. I am enough even when I’m not performing.”
Through this journey, she begins to heal, not just emotionally, but practically. The garden blooms again. The clinic empowered her with insights.
Do you think this model matters?
Well, too often, we focus on either the emotional or the analytical when it comes to mental health. The Garden and Clinic Model shows us that both are essential.
• The Garden reminds us to feel, rest, create, and grow.
• The Clinic empowers us to understand, reflect, and act.
Together, they give us a complete healing path, one where we don’t just survive, we truly thrive.
No One Is Immune. Everyone Matters.
Mental illness doesn’t care about your status. It touches the lives of CEOs and students, parents and pastors, artists and athletes. Depression does not discriminate. Success on the outside does not silence the battles within.
This is why we all need this garden.
We all need space to heal. To be vulnerable. To be seen.
So be gentle. Be kind. Be the warmth in someone’s storm. You never know what battle a smile is hiding, what war is being fought in silence. And if you are the one struggling today, hear this:
You are not broken.
You are not weak.
You are human.
And your life is worth saving.
Forget the fear of judgment. Forget the shame. The garden of your mind deserves to bloom, not wither in silence. Seek help. Speak up. Let others walk beside you. There is no shame in needing support. In fact, it is one of the most courageous things you can do. Remember, courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the willingness to seek help in the midst of it. Your battles may be silent, but your voice can be the anthem of healing. Just know that you are not alone in this journey We all carry invisible scars, but together, we can create a tapestry of resilience. Let your story be a beacon of hope, it matters more than you know.
The world needs you, your laughter, your story, your light.
You matter, even on the days it feels like you don’t.
So let your mind bloom.
Let your healing begin.
Because the silent battles deserve our voices.
And your life deserves to be lived, and lived beautifully.
Some key takeaways:
1. In the garden of life, every soul is a flower, some bloom brightly, while others quietly fight for sunlight. Let’s nurture each other’s growth, for every story deserves to be told.
2. Mental illness does not wear a mask; it walks among us. Let’s strip away the stigma and plant seeds of compassion, for in understanding, we find our strength.
3. Behind every smile may lie a silent struggle. Be the light that helps others shine through their darkness, and remember: your own journey is worth embracing.
4. In a world that often feels heavy, be the gentle breeze that lifts others. Your kindness could be the lifeline someone desperately needs.
5. Healing begins when we dare to speak our truths. Let’s cultivate a culture where vulnerability is celebrated, and every heart feels safe to bloom.
6. You are not defined by your struggles, but by your courage to rise above them. Embrace your journey, for it is uniquely yours and beautifully significant.
Need Help?
Reach out to the following organizations asap
- Youth for Integrity Building (Kilifi).Their helpline number is +254 794 816 405.
- Befriender’s Kenya. Their helpline number is +254 722 178 177.
- Oasis Africa (Nairobi). Their number is 254 725 366 614 or +254 (0) 110 862 23.
- Nivishe Foundation (Nairobi).
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Kenya (CBT-Kenya). Their number is +254 739 935 333 or +254 756 454 585.
- Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation (EMKF). EMKF’s suicide prevention hotline is 0800 723 253.
