Suicide Risk Assessment in Public Health Facilities: Counsellors' Experiences of Its Prevalence and Frequency in Bomet East Subcounty, Kenya

Joyce Koigeldo; Samson Barongo PhD; Edward Moracha PhD

doi:10.56201/ijhpr.vol.11.no8.2026.pg22.31

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Suicide Risk Assessment in Public Health Facilities: Counsellors' Experiences of Its Prevalence and Frequency in Bomet East Subcounty, Kenya

Joyce Koigeldo, Samson Barongo PhD , Edward Moracha PhD

Abstract

Globally suicide remains a significant public health concern, with greatest burden on low- and middle-income countries. In Kenya, despite the national Suicide Prevention Strategy Plan 2021– 2026, limited research has examined frontline counsellors’ experiences with suicide risk assessment in rural settings. This qualitative phenomenological study tried to assess counsellors’ experiences regarding the prevalence and frequency of suicide risk assessments in public health facilities in Bomet East Sub-County, Kenya. Data was collected through 14 in-depth individual interviews, two focus group discussions of 6 participants each, and document analysis was also done. Thematic analysis revealed that while counsellors frequently encounter suicidal clients, SRA is highly selective, case-based, and reactive rather than universal. Assessments are typically triggered by visible indicators such as depression, substance abuse, suicide attempts, or chronic illness. Key barriers include high workloads, staff shortages, limited counselling clinic days, poor client follow-up, stigma, and lack of institutional integration of SRA into routine care. Findings suggested that system barriers and sociocultural factors influence suicide risk assessment practices and therefore hinder effective early identification and intervention. The enhancement of human resources, establishment of routine screening procedures, improved follow up and addressing stigma through community outreach are recommended strategies for strengthening suicide prevention in low-resource settings.

References

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Suicide Risk Assessment in Public Health Facilities: Counsellors' Experiences of Its Prevalence and Frequency in Bomet East Subcounty, Kenya

Abstract

References

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