By JOHN MUCHANGI
Kenya is losing Sh62.2 billion every year due to mental ill health, with the majority of this cost resulting from lost productivity, according to the Ministry of Health.
The figure, mentioned by Health CS Deborah Barasa on Thursday, comes from the ‘Mental Health Investment Case 2021’, a report by the ministry and three United Nations agencies.
Barasa spoke during the commemoration of World Mental Health Day at the Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital.
“Mental health problems extend far beyond individual suffering, impacting families, communities and the broader society,” she said. “Depression and anxiety alone account for 12 billion lost working days annually worldwide.”
She highlighted how crucial workplace environments are to the mental well-being of the population.
“A significant portion of a person’s life is spent in the workplace, and this environment can have a profound impact on their mental well-being,” she noted.
According to the World Health Organization, over half of the global population is employed, and a considerable number of these individuals are battling mental health disorders. In Kenya, this translates to 3.7 million people in the workforce potentially living with mental illness.
“The Taskforce on Mental Health in 2020 underscored the critical role of workplace factors in contributing to mental health challenges among the Kenyan population,” Barasa said.
The Ministry of Health said it responded to this growing concern by developing the country’s first National Guidelines on Workplace Mental Wellness last year.
These guidelines, according to the CS, focus on three key strategies: promotion, prevention and care and support.
“Employers are encouraged to implement mental wellness programmes that address the overall well-being of their employees, prevent the occurrence or worsening of mental health issues, and provide care for those who require treatment,” she said.
The CS also announced three key actions that the ministry is prioritising to improve mental health care across the country: Counties were asked to invest in mental health clinics and addiction clinics in all Level 4 hospitals.
Employers are expected to implement the National Guidelines on Mental Wellness. School health programmes will include mental wellness and addiction prevention.
The CS also launched the Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital Strategic Plan 2024-2029.
“The hospital will offer training facilities for students in mental health,
aligning its work with key national
and global frameworks, including
the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Kenya Vision
2030,” Barasa said.