Ending the stigma around rising mental health crisis

An illustration of a stressed and worked-out employee. [Getty Images]

We are probably familiar with terms, such as childhood trauma, narcissism, healing, shadow work, and more. It is also common to hear people say that the current younger generation is ‘weak’ compared to the older generation. How plausible is this statement? I believe the older generation also struggled with mental health issues – they just were not openly discussed. Granted, some people developed healthy coping mechanisms, while others resorted to negative ones. In both small and large ways, they managed their symptoms – knowingly or unknowingly. Another reason for the increased visibility of mental health today is the internet. As my dad often says, we are living in the Information Age, where information spreads faster and more widely than ever before, leading to greater awareness of mental health issues.

While many of us may seem fine on the outside, if you take time to have a meaningful conversation, you’ll realise that everyone is battling something. It is so easy to judge others without recognising that we are all climbing the same mountain, just from different sides. According to a 2024 study on mental health conducted by the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in California, anxiety is the most common mental health disorder, followed by depression. The study also found that 33.5 per cent of adults with a mental illness also have a substance use disorder, and 17 per cent of adolescents aged 12 to 17 years have experienced a major depressive disorder.

Alarmingly, for every woman who loses their life to suicide, four men die by suicide, although more women attempt suicide. The study further reports that one in five people has considered suicide, one in 14 individuals engages in self-harming activities, and one in 15 has attempted suicide. The Ministry of Health has acknowledged that Kenya is experiencing a rapid increase in suicides, mental health conditions, substance use, and addictive disorders of epidemic proportions, with 25 per cent of all outpatient clients and 40 per cent of inpatient clients in Kenya’s health facilities suffering from a mental health condition. It is estimated that for every five Kenyans, one will have a mental illness in their lifetime, with depression being a major concern, ranking Kenya 4th in prevalence in the African region, with 1.9 million cases of depression.

Statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) place Kenya’s suicide rate at 11 in 100,000 people, which translates to about four suicide deaths per day. According to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and the National Police Service (NPS), Kenya had recorded 1,576 suicide deaths over the past four years. For each life lost to suicide, 135 individuals are affected by the aftermath. Most of the mental health and suicide cases occur concurrently with a substance abuse disorder, especially alcohol use disorder. Research by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) in 2022 found that drug and substance use are key risk factors for depressive disorders. To address the growing incidence of mental health issues and suicide, three major challenges must be addressed. First, the stigma surrounding mental health is a significant barrier that needs to be tackled at the individual level. People are more likely to be understanding when someone has a physical illness, but mental health issues are still often met with judgment. Phrases like “I am in therapy” are too often followed by sceptical glances and questions like, “Are you crazy?” This stigma has caused many to avoid seeking help for fear of being labelled “mad”. Secondly, there is a critical shortage of mental health professionals. In Kenya, the current ratio of psychologists to clients is one for every 4.6 million people, while the ideal ratio is one for every 15,000 people. Lastly, only 0.01 per cent of the national health budget is allocated to mental health, which falls far below the recommended Sh250 per capita.

Despite these challenges, it is important to acknowledge the positive progress being made. Insurance companies have increasingly recognised the importance of mental health, offering coverage for mental health services alongside physical health. Wellness programmes are now a major focus for many insurance providers. Employee Assistance Programmes are also being formulated to offer free counselling services to employees. Numerous webinars, workshops, and public discussions on mental health are being organised, raising awareness and providing much-needed education on the subject. It is my belief that, in the future, mental health and emotional well-being will be recognised and treated with the same importance as physical health, and access to care will be available at all levels of society.

Vivian Mulaa is a Wellness Officer, Minet Kenya.