An advocate of the High Court and mental health champion and performing artist Samuel Ochieng has opened up about his journey with bipolar disorder, one marked by pain, resilience, and an unyielding drive to help others. During an interview on TV47’s ‘This Friday with Betty, a show, Samuel Ochieng told of not just an inspiring story but a transformational journey.

Samuel shared that his mother’s friend, who had a son also battling bipolar disorder encouraged her to take him to a psychiatrist, little did she know then that the intervention would led to a critical diagnosis.

“I was literally tied up and admitted to Nairobi Hospital for one and a half years,” he recalled.

After a psychiatric evaluation in the year 2000, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, joining over 40 million people globally living with the condition.

“The psychiatrist told me bipolar is not curable. You have to take medication for life, just a single tablet,” he said.

But beyond the medical aspect, Samuel highlighted the deep personal cost of living with the disorder. “I’ve been in 30 relationships since the disorder struck,” he revealed, noting how mood instability, emotional intensity, and misunderstanding have often made it difficult to sustain long-term connections.

Rather than remaining in the shadows, Samuel chose a different path, through his initiative Serene Minds, he has dedicated his life to mental health advocacy, connecting with individuals both locally and internationally.

“I decided to help people and I’ve connected with many abroad,” he said during the show.

Now a mentor and public speaker on mental health, Samuel uses his story to urge society to break the silence and stigma around bipolar disorder. “I now urge the public to reduce stigma and take time to understand people living with bipolar disorder,” he emphasized.

His advice to others facing similar battles is clear: “Do a lot of research, and be comfortable with who you are.”Samuel now stands as proof that a diagnosis does not mark the end.

From being hospitalized and misunderstood to advocating from the halls of justice and national TV, he has turned his pain into purpose.