Mental health is an area of increasing concern, not only in Kenya but globally. According to data from the Kenya Ministry of Health, at least 25 per cent of the population struggles with mental health issues and illnesses. Depression and anxiety have been highlighted as the most prevalent conditions. Further data shows that one out of every four people seeking healthcare in Kenya has a mental health condition.
As troubling a thought this is, recognizing that mental health is now a mainstream issue gives us the license to destigmatize conversations about well-being and can help unlock the way forward in educating and proactively managing mental health conditions.
Mental health can be defined as “a state of well-being whereby individuals recognize and realize their abilities, are able to cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and make a contribution to their communities” (WHO: 2003). Positive mental health includes emotion, cognition, social functioning and coherence. (WHO: 2009).
Why is it Important to Mainstream Mental Health?
Seeing the depth of mental health issues among the Kenyan population, integration of mental health considerations and services into societal systems is critical. Mainstreaming mental health entails recognizing mental health as an integral part of the overall health and well-being of an individual.
Mainstreaming mental health is more than simply providing specialized mental health services, it involves incorporating mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment into everyday practices and policies across the various sectors. Mainstreaming aims to ensure that mental health is given equal importance, just as physical health and further that stigma is reduced and barriers associated with mental illness are broken.
This article looks into the various ways of mainstreaming mental health.
| Policy Creation and Integration. | When it comes to mental health, the government has put in place measures such as the Mental Health Bill 2022, which seeks to protect persons with mental health conditions, and the Kenya Mental Health Policy 2015-2023, which seeks to work towards achieving the highest standard of mental health.
However, mental health considerations need to be further integrated into broader policies and frameworks, such as health policies, education policies, workplace policies, and social welfare policies. This includes recognizing mental health as a priority and allocating resources and attention accordingly. Further, the government can develop and enforce policies and legislation that prioritize mental health and establish a framework for its mainstreaming. |
| Integration of Mental Health into Primary Healthcare Systems | Integration of Mental Health into Primary Healthcare Systems can greatly help in mainstreaming efforts as it would ensure accessibility and affordability of healthcare support services.
This would involve training primary healthcare workers to identify and manage common mental health disorders, establishing referral pathways to specialized care, and integrating mental health screening and interventions into routine healthcare practices. |
| Increased Awareness and Education. | In African cultures, mental health is considered taboo. People with mental health issues are still highly stigmatized in society, making it imperative to increase awareness and education on mental health to the public. This awareness can include the promotion of mental health literacy, reducing stigma, and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. Incorporation of mental health topics into school curricula would also be important in creating awareness from a young age.
Other activities can include organizing community workshops and seminars and utilizing mass media platforms to disseminate information about mental health, available services, and support. |
| Data Collection and Research | There is a need for further research and data collection in the area of mental health. This research and data are crucial and will provide a better understanding of the prevalence of mental health issues, evaluate the impact of interventions, and inform evidence-based policies and practices. |
| Workforce Development | Currently, there are fewer than 500 specialist mental health workers serving Kenya’s population of over 50 million.
Training and capacity building for mental health professionals is needed now more than ever as we work to ensure an adequate workforce. |
| Community-Based Mental Health Services. | This involves establishing community-based mental health services in a bid to bring care closer to the people. This can be done by setting up mental health clinics, mobile clinics, and telehealth services in rural and remote areas, training community health workers to provide basic mental health support, and involving community leaders and organizations in mental health promotion and awareness activities. |
| Funding and Resource Allocation and Mobilization. | Allocation of resources and funding for mental health services is critical. There is a need to prioritize mental health in budget allocations and further exploration of innovative financing mechanisms, as well as leveraging international funding opportunities. |
The overall goal of mainstreaming mental health is to create a society where mental health is prioritized, mental illness is destigmatized, and individuals have access to timely and appropriate mental health support and services. Mental health is an essential component of one’s overall well-being and requires a multi-sectoral and collaborative approach for effective integration.
Article by Juliet Hinga
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