Mental Health Cases on the Rise Among Youth

New research suggests a growing mental health crisis among young people in Kenya. A study highlighted during a Brain & Mind Institute webinar found that one in five adolescents has gone through four or more Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) — such as abuse, neglect, or poverty — which places them at heightened risk for mental health issues like depression and anxiety.These ACEs appear to be having a real impact: among teens studied, 24% showed moderate to severe symptoms of depression, while 21.4% reported moderate to severe anxiety. Experts say this highlights that childhood trauma is a significant public health concern that requires coordinated interventions.
A national survey (K‑NAMHS, 2022) reveals broader trends: around 44.3% of adolescents (aged 10–17) reported having some form of mental health difficulty in the past year, and 12.2% met the criteria for a diagnosable mental disorder, according to DSM‑5 standards. Despite these high numbers, only about 11% of those with emotional or behavioral problems actually accessed mental health support services.The situation is gaining attention: the recent 2nd Child & Adolescent Mental Health Summit in Mombasa brought together mental health experts, youth, and policymakers to call for more youth‑friendly services, peer counseling, and stronger integration of mental health into schools and primary care.