Reaching Out - Amb. Maryben Omollo's Call to Care and Compassion in the Face of Depression

A Voice for the Voiceless

On December 2, 2022, in Nairobi, Kenya, Ambassador Maryben Omollo—renowned mental health and leadership coach, award-winning speaker, and founder of the Maryben Foundation—shared a powerful message on LinkedIn. With over 93,000 followers and a global reach exceeding 50 million, her words resonated deeply across borders and communities. Her post was not a celebration of accolades or achievements. It was a heartfelt plea—a reminder that behind the smiles, silence, and strength of many lies a silent battle with depression. Her message was simple yet profound: reach out.

Unmasking the Hidden Faces of Depression

Depression does not always wear a visible face. It often hides behind the everyday roles people play—friend, parent, sibling, colleague. Maryben’s message highlighted several overlooked scenarios where depression may be silently taking root:

1. The friend who suddenly went broke after losing a job or business. Often ignored or judged, they may be battling feelings of worthlessness and despair.
2. The single mother who appears fiercely independent. Her strength may be a mask for exhaustion, loneliness, and emotional strain.
3. The jobless brother who was dismissed as a drunk or ‘useless’. Behind the label may be a man struggling with lost identity and societal rejection.
4. The beautiful woman who seems to have it all. Outward appearances can be deceiving; she may be silently crumbling inside.
5. The girlfriend who has become withdrawn, lazy, or irritable. These behavioural changes may be symptoms of depression, not character flaws.

Each of these individuals may be silently crying out for help. Maryben’s message was clear: don’t wait for a breakdown to show compassion. Reach out now.

Challenging Harmful Narratives Around Suicide

One of the most striking parts of Maryben’s message was her bold stance on suicide. She challenged the common notion that suicide is selfish, arguing instead that it is selfish to guilt a depressed person by saying their death would only transfer pain to others.

“There is no pain in death. Depression seeks that peace,” she wrote.

This statement was not an endorsement of suicide, but a call for empathy. It was a reminder that people contemplating suicide are not seeking to hurt others—they are seeking relief from unbearable emotional pain. The solution, she emphasised, is not judgment, but connection. Reach out.

What Reaching Out Really Means

Maryben also addressed common misconceptions about support. She reminded her audience that:

1. A bottle of whiskey is not a solution. Substance use may numb pain temporarily, but it does not heal.
2. Paying funeral expenses after a suicide is hypocrisy if no effort was made to support the person while they were alive.

True support, she argued, is proactive. It means checking in, listening without judgment, offering help, and simply being present. It means noticing changes in behaviour and responding with compassion, not criticism.

The Power of Empathy in Leadership

As a leadership coach, Maryben understands that empathy is not just a personal virtue—it is a leadership imperative. In workplaces, communities, and families, leaders must foster environments where mental health is prioritised and vulnerability is not punished. Her message was not just for individuals, but for systems. It was a call to build cultures where people feel safe to speak up, where mental health is treated with the same urgency as physical health, and where no one is left to suffer in silence.

A Lesson in Humanity

The lesson from Maryben’s message is simple yet urgent: we must be more human with each other. In a world that often values productivity over people, appearances over authenticity, and independence over interdependence, we must remember that everyone is fighting battles we cannot see. Reaching out is not a grand gesture. It can be a text, a call, a visit, or a simple “How are you, really?” It is about showing up, consistently and sincerely.

Reflection: Fighting in Silence, Together

Maryben Omollo’s post ends with a tender embrace for those who are struggling:

“Hugs to you, fighting in silence ”

This closing line is more than a sentiment—it is a lifeline. It acknowledges the silent warriors among us and reminds them that they are not alone. In a world where mental health challenges are rising, especially among youth and entrepreneurs, Maryben’s message is a timely and necessary intervention. It challenges us to be more attentive, more compassionate, and more courageous in our connections. Her leadership, once again, goes beyond titles and accolades. It is rooted in humanity. And in that humanity lies the power to heal, to uplift, and to transform lives.