This archive report was first published on 25 November 2019.
Kenya's mental health policy implementation has gained momentum, with stakeholders welcoming the move as a timely intervention to address mental health issues.
Speaking at the inaugural Kenya Mental Health Conference, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Health Susan Mochache emphasized the need to roll back existing mental health challenges, citing the erosion of the country's productive human resource base as a result of mental health issues.
Organized by the Ministry of Health and supported by Johnson & Johnson, among others, the conference highlighted the importance of implementing the National Mental Health Policy 2015-2030.
Johnson & Johnson Regional Director of Government Affairs & Policy Ms. Idah Asin noted that the implementation of the national mental health policy will create a sustainable response mechanism across the local health system, including resource mobilization and capacity and awareness building.
“At Johnson & Johnson, we welcome this multi-sectoral conference which is a timely intervention to help address mental health issues which require a concerted effort,” Ms. Asin said.
Ms. Asin added that the conference seeks to drag the long-overdue discussion of mental health straight to the forefront, creating a forum for key stakeholders to discuss mental healthcare in Kenya and accelerate consultative efforts towards the finalization of a strategic action plan for the implementation of the country's mental health policy.
According to the Kenya Mental Health Policy 2015-2030, it is estimated that up to 25% of outpatients and up to 40% of in-patients in health facilities suffer from mental conditions.
Dr. Simon Njuguna, Director of Mental Health in the Ministry of Health, stated that the most frequent diagnoses of mental illnesses made in general hospital settings are depression, substance abuse, stress, and anxiety disorders.
At the global stage, mental health is an integral component of the Sustainable Development Goals, and it forms part of the Universal Healthcare Agenda that the Government of Kenya is working towards achieving for its people.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed that appropriate measures be put in place towards the implementation of the mental health policy.
Johnson & Johnson has forged partnerships with various stakeholders in mental health to develop sustainable and scalable initiatives that will ensure equitable access to critical solutions that save lives, cure patients, and prevent disease in those most in need.
