Advocates for mental health and civil society groups are demanding greater funding for mental healthcare and enhanced support networks for individuals who have experienced sexual violence, pointing to persistent stigma, excessive treatment expenses, and inadequate access to services.
These appeals were voiced during a community awareness march and advocacy session held in Dandora, Nairobi on Friday, an event organized by Physicians for Human Rights to commemorate Mental Health Awareness Month.
The organization introduced a report detailing the obstacles faced by survivors when attempting to obtain mental healthcare in Nairobi County. Titled ‘From Silence to Support: Advancing Mental Health Care for Survivors of Sexual Violence,’ the event commenced with a march from Kinyago Police Station to Dandora 3 Social Hall, followed by conversations about mental wellbeing and trauma-sensitive support approaches.
Dorcas Gitonga, a programme officer with PHR, emphasized that individuals who have experienced sexual violence still encounter substantial difficulties in obtaining mental healthcare, despite the increasing prevalence of mental health issues throughout the nation.
“Many survivors visit healthcare facilities and merely undergo physical assessments, yet recovery encompasses more than medical examinations. Trauma, anxiety, and depression also demand consideration,” Gitonga explained.
She pointed out that outpatient mental healthcare remains insufficiently covered by the Social Health Authority, forcing numerous Kenyans to bear the full cost of counseling and psychiatric services themselves.
“A straightforward measure like enabling individuals to utilize their SHA cards for outpatient mental healthcare would substantially improve accessibility,” she suggested.
Gitonga indicated that merely 15 percent of Kenyans currently receive mental healthcare, citing a scarcity of specialists, inadequate public resources, and the prohibitively expensive nature of treatment.
“Consulting a psychologist may cost approximately Sh4,000, and certain public hospitals only provide specialist services weekly. This implies that most Kenyans remain without adequate assistance,” she stated.
She also encouraged the media to facilitate discussions about mental health to diminish stigma and motivate more individuals to seek assistance.
Daniella Khajidi, another PHR programme officer, mentioned that the organization recently implemented a community “Photovoice” initiative where survivors and human rights advocates recorded their experiences with mental healthcare access through images and audio recordings.
Khajidi reported that the results exposed deficiencies in cost-effectiveness, confidentiality, and public knowledge.
“Numerous survivors reported they could not afford treatment, while others hesitated to access services due to the lack of hospital privacy. Some shared their stories in environments where fellow patients or personnel could overhear,” she explained.
She observed that Kenya consistently dedicates minimal resources to mental healthcare despite escalating needs.
“The World Health Organization suggests that at least five percent of a nation’s health expenditure should be allocated to mental health. In Kenya, we currently fall substantially short of this benchmark,” Khajidi stated.
The report introduced at the forum identified stigma and insufficient awareness as principal obstacles preventing survivors from obtaining support.
Florence Keya, a social worker from Maisha Girls’ Safe House, noted that most individuals assisted at the shelter have encountered sexual violence and profound trauma necessitating extended psychosocial assistance.
“At the shelter, we offer temporary lodging, trauma recovery, psychological support, and aid survivors in pursuing legal recourse,” Keya explained.
She mentioned that the organization currently assists 46 girls between the ages of 10 and 19, the majority of whom are victims of sexual abuse.
“Recovery cannot be quantified by timeframes. Occasionally, even after six months, an individual may still be at the commencement of their healing process,” she stated.
Keya appealed to the authorities to enhance personnel numbers and financial allocations for mental healthcare in government institutions.
“It is possible to find a single mental health professional attending to thousands of individuals monthly and being accessible just a few days weekly. The government needs to allocate more resources to mental healthcare infrastructure and specialists,” she emphasized.
Attendees of the march additionally advocated for heightened public consciousness and more robust community backing for survivors.
Mary Atieno, a resident of Dandora, stated that she participated in the gathering because numerous survivors endure their suffering quietly without awareness of available assistance options.
“Mental wellbeing impacts families and neighborhoods, yet many individuals remain hesitant to voice their experiences. I came because survivors must understand they are not isolated,” Atieno explained.
Kevin Mwangi, another attendee, expressed that mental health holds personal significance for him after observing friends battle depression and trauma.
“Mental health matters deeply to me because I have witnessed how trauma transforms individuals. We require more secure environments where people can access assistance without apprehension or embarrassment,” Mwangi stated.
Event organizers stated that the forum sought to bolster advocacy for trauma-aware mental healthcare while motivating policymakers to emphasize survivors’ wellbeing and service accessibility.
The gathering united neighborhood leaders, healthcare providers, and civil society organizations addressing gender-based violence and mental health advocacy in Nairobi.