Nairobi: The World Health Organisation's 2024 report has placed Kenya fourth in Africa for cases of individuals affected by mental health disorders, with an estimated 1.9 million people impacted.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Kenya Mental Health Policy of 2015-2030 identifies depression as the most frequently diagnosed mental illness among Kenyans. A government task force report from December 2019 highlighted that at least 25 percent of all outpatients and 40 percent of all inpatients have suffered from a mental illness.
The policy report also points to climate change as a significant contributing factor to mental illnesses. Extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and landslides occur rapidly, hindering people's ability to recover from these natural disasters. Survivors of such events often experience heightened anxiety and 'survivors' guilt.' In severe cases, the resulting depression can lead to suicide, with depressive disorders accounting for 60 percent of all suicide cases in Kenya.
The heavy rainfalls of 2019 and 2020 caused the Kuja River in Migori County to overflow, displacing thousands and claiming at least 10 lives. This disaster submerged homes, schools, and farmlands, illustrating the devastating impact of climate change on mental health.
Dr. Boniface Chitayi, a consultant psychiatrist with the Ministry of Health and President of the Kenyan Psychiatrist Association, emphasized that events causing loss of property, loved ones, and forced migration lead to higher rates of depression and anxiety. He noted that the floods in the Nyanza Region likely contributed to increased mental illness cases among residents.
Dr. Chitayi also highlighted the challenge of accessing mental health services in Kenya, as only 22 out of the 47 counties offer these services. This lack of access has led to misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment due to a shortage of mental health specialists.
In Migori County, the youth are disproportionately affected, with 66 percent of reported mental health cases this year involving individuals under 35 years old. The rising mental health cases underscore the need for a dedicated mental health budget, separate from the general health budget, to adequately address the issue.
The current budget allocation for mental disorders is only 0.1 percent of the entire 2021-2022 budget, despite mental disorders accounting for at least 13 percent of all diseases. WHO estimates show that for every shilling invested in mental health, there is a five-shilling return, highlighting the need for increased investment.
Dr. Frank Njenga, Co-Chair of the mental health task force, pointed out the widespread misunderstanding among Kenyans regarding mental health and illness. He stressed the importance of sensitization and education to correctly interpret behavioral changes associated with mental illness.
Implementing the Kenya Mental Health Action Plan 2021-2025 could provide a crucial framework for addressing mental health issues at both the country and county levels, addressing historical challenges and aligning with WHO guidelines.