This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
July 7, 2020 - A mental health crisis is unfolding in Kenya, with one in every 10 people suffering from a common mental disorder. According to a taskforce report, depression and anxiety are the leading cases of mental disorders in the country.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe received the taskforce report on Tuesday evening and revealed that the taskforce also wants mental illness declared a national health emergency. The report highlights the need for a Mental Health Commission to deal with the burden of the illness.
Kenya has a 1600 bed capacity for mental health care, with 400 of these beds located in private hospitals. However, the taskforce notes that many people are committing suicide or dying through road accidents due to drug and substance abuse caused by depression.
Taskforce chair Dr. Frank Njenga emphasized the need for a responsible commission to monitor the mental health of Kenyans, saying that many people are suffering in silence due to fear of stigma. He also called for the government to allocate finance to mental illness care, citing the fact that a large number of those suffering from the illness are living in abject poverty.
The taskforce was formed last year following a directive from President Uhuru Kenyatta to study the state of mental health in the country. The report indicates that alcohol abuse among people aged between 18 and 29 is a serious concern. According to the World Health Organization, Kenya is ranked 29th on the mortality rate due to suicide worldwide, with an estimate of 5.6 per 100,000 persons.
