The Kenya Counseling and Psychological Association (KCPA) has raised an alarm over the state of mental health in Kenya. In a statement sent to newsrooms, KCPA noted that mental health illnesses are on the rise adding that the government is to blame.
The association reiterated the sentiments made by the Catholic bishops stating that the crisis has been exacerbated by poor governance, misguided policies, and a growing disconnect between the government and the everyday struggles of Kenyan citizens.
“We strongly echo the sentiments recently expressed by the Catholic bishops condemning the government’s culture of broken promises, reckless public spending, deceitful practices, and the disturbing rise in extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances,” read the statement in part.
Families experiencing mental health issues
According to the association, there has been an increase in the number of distressed families that have been reaching out to them due to the disappearance of their kin and death of their loved ones.
This has led to psychological trauma, fear, despair and helplessness among family members, according to the organization.
“Families are mourning the loss of loved ones—killed or missing due to forced disappearances—and are left grappling with deep psychological trauma. These heinous acts have created a pervasive atmosphere of fear, helplessness, and despair, pushing many Kenyans into severe depression,” said the Association.
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The Association has also faulted the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the State Health Insurance Fund (SHIF-SHA).
It says the transition has left families with terminally ill patients in distress especially those needing essential services like dialyses and cancer treatment.
Kenyans no longer confident in the government
Further, it stated that the SHIF policy shift and the misappropriation of public resources (exemplified by the irresponsible dishing out of public money to some religious entities while neglecting critical national priorities) has left Kenyans with little to know confidence in the government’s will to safeguard the interests of the people.
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KCPA gave recommendations to the President and his administration urging them to set their priorities right.
In addition, the association advised the state to restore public trust by implementing transparent and accountable governance to rebuild trust with citizens and prioritize mental health services by investing in quality mental healthcare to address the nation’s mental health needs.
It also urged the government to provide immediate relief for overburdened taxpayers, reinstate effective health insurance systems to ensure all Kenyans, regardless of their economic status, can access essential medical services and launch independent investigations into extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances, ensuring justice for victims and their families.
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