In Kenya, mental health has moved from the margins of public discourse to the centre of national concern. Rising cases of depression, substance abuse, and suicide—particularly among young people—have alarmed health professionals and civil society groups. The pressures of unemployment, social media comparison, and the high cost of living in urban centres like Nairobi and Mombasa have intensified psychological distress.
Although Kenya has taken steps by integrating mental health into primary healthcare and strengthening policy frameworks, access remains uneven. Rural communities and informal settlements still face a shortage of trained professionals, leaving many to rely on unregulated counselling services or suffer in silence.
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