Kenya joins the world in commemorating World mental health Day on October 10. The main
the objective is to sensitize people on mental health and mobilize efforts to support those with
mental health challenges.
This year’s theme, “Make Mental Health for all Global Priority.
Mental health is how one expresses himself depending on the state of mind.
It is estimated that 10.8% of the Kenyan population suffers from a mental health issue and 1%
suffer from psychosis.
‘Factors contributing to mental health issues include poverty, unemployment, gender-based
violence, gambling, and the recent Covid – 19 pandemic ‘ said Dr. Alfred Gitonga in an interview
with KBC
In the Coast region, stretching from Lamu to Kwale and Taita Taveta, drug and substance abuse
including bhang smoking, taking marijuana, and chewing mogokaa are contributors to mental health challenges. It is observed that some youth engage in different drug
abuse leading to complete mental breakdown.
“As a community and as a nation, we need to shun negative thoughts and beliefs
about mental health. Mental health issues is just like any other illness and can be handled by
mental health experts. As we commemorate this day, our Government will establish mental
health clinics in all sub-counties, so as to reach as many residents as possible” Said Madam
Kilalo while gracing the event in Mwatate sub county hospital in Taita Taveta.
Currently, Port reitz mental health facility is the only public health facility that caters for patients
from the vast coastal region.
The Mombasa county health services have recently trained 34 healthcare providers on the
mental health gap action program for early detection of mental health problems to reduce
admissions to the main facility.
Other players contributing to the welfare of mental health include The Mombasa Women
empowerment network, an NGO started by Mama Amina Ali who opened her doors to help the
mentally challenged. The center offers rehabilitation services. the patients are the mentally
disturbed picked from the streets of Mombasa.
