Alarm sounded over surge in mental illnesses

Statistics from the Ministry of Health have highlighted a troubling trend of a rise in mental health cases across the country. 

According to the ministry’s District Health Information System, most counties have recorded an increase of mental illnesses in the last three years.

The data show that between 2022 and 2023, cases of mental disorders rose from 171,845 to 184,292.

Counties with the highest number of cases in 2024 included Nairobi at 53,521, Murang’a at 9,607, Nakuru at 8,633, Machakos at 6,648, Kiambu at 6,500 and Nyeri at 6,497. 

On the other hand, Mandera and Marsabit counties have recorded a decline. Mandera had the lowest number at 264 in 2024 down from 633 in 2023, while Marsabit recorded 323 cases compared to 337 in 2023. 

Dr Sarah Bahati, a consultant psychiatrist at Nyahururu Level Four Hospital, says mental health issues are on the rise due to increasing stressors such as economic challenges and social pressure. “In any group of four people, at least one suffers from a mental health condition. In hospitals, one in every eight outpatients is dealing with stress, depression, or another mental disorder,” she says.

Despite growing concerns raised by mental health professionals and stakeholders, several reports containing workable recommendations for preventing and reducing mental disorders remain unimplemented. 

They include Mental Health Wellbeing report by the Kenyan Taskforce on Mental Health, established in 2019 by former President Uhuru Kenyatta. The taskforce submitted its findings and recommendations to the government in July 2020. Among the most urgent recommendations from the taskforce report are integrating mental health into primary healthcare, training primary care providers to manage common mental health conditions, declaring mental health a national emergency, and improving data collection and research. The taskforce also recommended the establishment of a National Mental Health Commission to monitor progress, advise on policy, and coordinate nationwide mental health programmes.

Other reports include one developed by mental health experts under the World Health Organization in 2021, which made similar recommendations, as well as a work plan by the Civil Society Stakeholders Forum on Mental Health.The forum developed a memorandum presented to the Ministry of Health urging the government to recognise mental health as a basic human right.

Experts and stakeholders blame the rising mental health cases on the government’s failure to implement the taskforce’s recommendations. 

According to Samuel Murage, vice director at St Martin’s Mental Health Facility in Nyahururu, the data provided by the ministry only captures cases treated in health facilities, meaning the actual situation could be far worse.

“There are many mental health conditions that manifest in different ways. Many of the murder and suicide cases we see today are directly attributable to mental illness. Full implementation of the 2019 Mental Health Taskforce report is the only solution to this escalating crisis,” says Mr Murage.

St Martin’s has partnered with the Nyandarua Interfaith Council and Interior Ministry officials in Nyandarua and Laikipia counties to address mental health challenges. These efforts have begun to yield results. 

The partnership focuses on tackling stigma, the high cost of psychiatric medication, unavailability of these drugs in public hospitals, limited access to mental health services, insufficient funding for mental health programmes and the policy changes needed for comprehensive care.

“Discrimination and stigma surrounding mental health start at the family level. Relatives with other health conditions are often prioritised, perhaps because they are the breadwinners, while those with mental health issues are neglected,” Mr Murage says.

Another major concern is the shortage of mental health specialists. Many counties with high mental health needs lack mental health care facilities and psychiatrists

Kenya has about 140 psychiatrists, but only 22 counties have employed at least one, leaving psychiatric nurses to handle cases in general hospital wards.

Dr Bahati singles out funding as another critical issue.  The Health ministry allocates only three per cent of its total budget to mental health resources, with the national government concentrating these resources in a few mental health facilities.

Dr Bahati notes that mental health affects an individual’s thinking capacity, emotions and behaviour, yet access to mental health services remains limited.

 “There is a shortage of trained professionals and mental health facilities, especially in rural areas, which restricts access to timely care. Patients struggle to receive early interventions, increasing the risk of worsening conditions. Some must travel long distances for treatment,” says Dr Bahati.

The cost of mental healthcare is another significant burden. At St Martin’s hosoital, the average cost of psychiatric drugs for one patient per month is Sh9,000, which many families cannot afford. 

According to Raphael Wangui, whose relative has a mental illness, medication can cost up to Sh30,000 per month, excluding expenses for diagnosis, therapy and other treatments.

“Even worse, these drugs are unavailable in most hospitals, especially public facilities which lack psychiatrists. We have to travel from Nyandarua to Nakuru County for both medication and specialised services,” Ms Wangui says.

Archbishop Josam Kariuki, chairperson of  Nyandarua Interfaith Council, calls for full implementation of mental health policies and taskforce recommendations. He also advocates for theological colleges to introduce mental health courses for clergy.

“Kenya has made progress through the Mental Health (Amendment) Act, 2022 and the Kenya Mental Health Policy, but implementation is slow. The 2019 Mental Health Taskforce made critical recommendations, most of which remain unrealised. Our interfaith initiatives are based on these recommendations, emphasising community involvement. 

“We work with chiefs, assistant chiefs, and the county commissioner’s office to address mental health at the community and workplace levels. Chiefs should treat drug addiction, illegal drug sales, and mental health conditions as urgent issues requiring special care and attention,” says Archbishop Kariuki.

 The cleric notes that recognising mental health as a public health and socioeconomic crisis would prioritise funding, research, and service expansion. “

“The government should allocate resources for large-scale research on mental health trends, prevalence, and service gaps to support evidence-based interventions.”

He also calls for speedy completion of the stalled 600-bed mental health facility launched by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.  The facility, located on an 80-hectare piece of land in Ngong’s Nairobi area was meant to ease the burden on existing mental health institutions.

waikwamaina@yahoo.com