Experts Raise Concern Over Mental Health Crisis

Leading health professionals and policymakers in Kenya are sounding the alarm over what they describe as a growing mental health crisis that is becoming a major public health challenge. The Principal Secretary for Public Health, Mary Muthoni, recently said that mental disorders affect a significant portion of the population—about 25% of Kenyans may experience a mental health condition at some point, and around 1 in 10 currently live with a diagnosable psychiatric condition.
Contributing to the crisis, mental health associations point to a severe shortage of experts: the Kenya Psychiatric Association reports that there are only 150 psychiatrists serving over 50 million people. This gap means that many patients are unable to access specialized mental health services, especially in rural or under-resourced counties. At their annual conference, they emphasized the critical need for greater investment in community mental health, integration of mental wellness into general health services, and stronger support systems to bring care closer to those in need.
Experts are also drawing attention to a new dimension of the crisis: climate change. Researchers from the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust warn that phenomena such as droughts, floods, and rising temperatures are increasing psychological distress in affected communities. According to them, these climate-related shocks aren’t just causing economic hardship, but also triggering anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance abuse, particularly in rural and marginalized populations.
Public-sector stakeholders are calling for a comprehensive response: more psychiatrists and psychologists, better mental health funding, and scaled-up integration of mental health into primary care. Teachers’ unions have called for mental health education to be embedded in schools to help address rising anxiety and depression among young people. Without urgent reforms, experts warn, Kenya’s mental health burden could deepen, putting pressure on both health systems and communities.