Written By Vanessa Kariuki ||
The current crime rate has shown that Kenya is not an exception to the global trend of mental health being a major concern.
Incredibly, one in four people in Kenya who seek medical attention suffers from a mental illness.
In addition to the rising prevalence of substance and alcohol use disorders and depression, the exorbitant expense of living has forced many people to turn to a life of crime.
The government has created a Mental Health Taskforce and has recently implemented a number of reforms to improve care for those with mental health conditions.
Despite the fact that the nation does not currently have a dedicated budget for mental health, there is good news.
At Huduma Centers, GPO, Thika, and Kibra, the government now offers free counselling. The counsellors are professionally trained to help those who are struggling with depression or other mental health conditions.
While the government seeks to implement the same policies at additional Huduma Centers across the nation, Kenyans have been urged to attend these centres and seek aid rather than suffer in silence.
