The Principal Secretary State Department for Public Health & Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, has revealed that mental health challenges have been a silent crisis and are rising public health concern, contributing significantly to the global burden of disease.
The challenge is unfortunately often overlooked or stigmatized, affecting significantly on individuals, families, and communities, she notes.
PS Muthoni said recent statistics reveal that mental health disorders are prevalent in the society with reports that approximately 25% of the population may experience a mental health condition at some point in their lives, and about 1 in every 10 Kenyans living with a mental disorder.
“Mental health is an essential component of our overall health and well-being. It influences many aspects of our lives including our ability to cope with stress, relate to others and contribute productively to our society,” she said.
Speaking at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Kerugoya, Kirinyaga County at the ‘family unit and mental health’ event by Enterprising World Kenya, Muthoni acknowledged the organizers of the event for providing the opportunity for people discuss the very fundamental topic that is often misunderstood in the community.
She noted Kirinyaga county mental health has manifested itself in families being torn apart by illicit liquor, which ravages lives and relationships, increasing cases of gender-based violence (GBV), leaving victims with invisible scars, rising numbers of suicides and murders, often stemming from untreated mental health conditions.
“Mental health is not just a personal struggle. It is a community challenge. Depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and other conditions are no longer abstract statistics—they are lived realities in our villages, homes, and schools,” she observed.
She assured the people of Kirinyaga that, the Ministry of Health recognizes mental health as a key public health priority and has put in place several interventions for ensuring its promotion, prevention and support.
“The Ministry has embraced Universal Health Coverage, a key pillar under the Government’s Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda. This approach aims to ensure an increased population of people under health insurance cover and emphasizes the integration of mental health into Primary Healthcare Systems, making it more accessible at the community level.”
Further, to facilitate this integration, Community Health Promoters (CHPs) are being enabled to screen for mental health conditions within their communities and thereby ensuring individuals receive timely support and referrals to appropriate mental health services.
Moreover, she noted, the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) has been designed to cover a range of mental health services, reducing the financial burden on individuals seeking care.
“By leveraging SHIF, we can ensure that financial constraints do not prevent individuals from accessing the help they need,” she said.
She acknowledged that there are still challenges and barriers in mental health access including stigma, inadequate resources and insufficient trained professionals calling for togetherness to promote awareness and create supportive environments where individuals feel safe to discuss their mental health challenges without fear of judgment.
“I am confident that the discussions and insights shared today will pave the way for stronger, more supportive communities where mental health is openly discussed and effectively addressed,” noted the PS.
By Mutai Kipngetich