Why Mental Health

Current status

Recently, the government launched the Kenya Mental Health Policy 2015-2030. The Policy states that 1 in every 4 Kenyans suffers from mental ill health in their lifetime. That translates to 12 m Kenyans who will need medical attention!

​Kenya has 88 consultant psychiatrists and about 500 psychiatric nurses serving a population of over 45 million people.

Definitions

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’, but rather, “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being”

It defines Mental health as the successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and the ability to adapt to change and to cope with adversity.

​It is a state of well-being whereby individuals recognize their abilities, are able to cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and make a contribution to their communities”

Why mental Health

Mental health is a key determinant of overall health. It influences a variety of outcomes for individuals and communities such as healthier lifestyles; better physical health; improved recovery from illness; fewer limitations in daily living; higher education attainment; greater productivity, employment and earnings; better relationships with adults and with children; more social cohesion and engagement and improved quality of life.
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Common mental Disorders
The common mental disorders are depressive disorders, substance use disorders, schizophrenia, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, mental retardation and disorders of children and adolescence. The common symptoms 
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Determinants of mental health
There are various factors that determine the prevalence, onset and course of mental. Key among the factors are:
  • Social and economic factors such as poverty (unemployment, low literacy levels, deprivation and homelessness) contributes significantly to mental disorders
  • Demographic factors such as sex and age have a bearing on prevalence of mental disorders. For example anxiety and depressive disorders are more common among women while substance use disorders and antisocial personality disorders are more common among men. Domestic violence targeting women and ability to cope with stressful events also play a part. In regard to age, a high prevalence is seen among children, adolescents and in old age
  • Serious threats such as conflicts and disasters are known to significantly contribute to post-traumatic stress disorder as well as depressive or anxiety disorders
  • Prevalence of major physical disease such as HIV/AIDS and cancer contribute to individuals mental disorders due to stress and anxiety.
  • Family and environmental factors such as undesirable family events e.g. bereavement or failure, family breakdown play a part also to prevalence of mental disorders. 

What causes mental disorders?

The development of mental disorders is associated with biological, psychological and social risk factors.

Biological factors. In regard to biological factors, the common severe mental and behavioral disorders are associated with a significant genetic component of risk. The disorders are principally due to interaction of multiple risk genes with environmental factors

WHO notes that ‘a genetic predisposition to develop a particular mental or behavioral disorder may manifest only in people who also experience specific environmental stressors that elicit the pathology such as exposure to psychoactive substances as a fetus, malnutrition, infections, disrupted family environments, neglect, isolation and trauma.

Psychological factors. In regard to psychological factors, mental disorders are likely to develop among children (or in later years) who were deprived the nurture of their care-givers. They may also be viewed as maladaptive behavior that is learnt or human behavior that is shaped through interactions with the nature and social environment. Other disorders such as anxiety and depression may be a result of failure to cope adaptively to a stressful life event.

​Social factors such urbanization, poverty (e.g. deprivation, homelessness, unemployment and low education) and technological change have been associated with occurrence of mental disorder. For example, urbanization may negatively impact on mental health through the influence of increased life stressors and adverse life events such as overcrowded and polluted environments, poverty and dependence on cash economy, high levels of violence and reduced social support.

Impact of mental disorders 

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If untreated or attended to, mental disorders can create an enormous toll of suffering, disability and economic loss (WHO: 2003). Mental disorders have an impact on individuals, families, communities and the nations. Persons with mental disorders often are not able to participate in society’s economic life due to the disability or discrimination.

Families taking care of persons with mental disorders in cost in terms of finances (for treatment) as well as loss of potential income due to the time spent taking care their family members with the disabilities. The family burden also includes emotional stress while coping with the disorders as well as social deprivation as the family member with disorder cannot participate fully in a productive manner in the family life.

Mental disorders also impact on society through the cost of providing care, loss of productivity, vulnerability to violence (for some mental disorders on few occasions) and reduced contribution to the societal development by due to the disabilities of persons with disorders
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