Difu Simo is a mental health awareness campaign which is being conducted in Kilifi County along the Kenyan Coast. The campaign is funded by the Wellcome Trust as a collaboration between the Kenya Medical Research Institute|Wellcome Trust Programme, the Documentary Institute of Eastern Africa and the Malindi District Cultural Association.
The campaign slogan “Difu Simo”, is a Kigiryama phrase which means “Breaking free”. The project involves use of participatory approaches, film and art in the form of music, dance and poems to sensitize the public about mental illness. Difu Simo aims to improve knowledge about mental illnesses, reduce stigma towards people with mental illnesses to encourage them to seek health care and bring the worlds of biomedical treatment and traditional healing in dialogue about a holistic approach to treat and re-integrate people with mental health problems back into the community and live healthy lives.
Epilepsy is one of the most common serious neurological conditions and is particularly widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. This high incidence is, in at least a quarter of cases, because of preventable factors, yet many people who may have had seizures are not diagnosed and even fewer receive appropriate treatments.
These factors are compounded by enduring social stigma that can make it hard for Africans with epilepsy to obtain employment, form relationships or feel valued.
From 2019 to 2024, the EPInA team works in Accra, Nairobi, Kilifi, and Mahenge to improve all aspects of the treatment pathway: prevention, diagnosis, treatment and awareness.
DIEA supports EPInA in communication and awareness activities
On the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2022 DIEA inaugurated a collaboration with National Environmental Management Authority -NEMA- and other stakeholders to engage and sensitize the Kenyan public concerning climate change.