NAIROBI, Kenya, May 17 

Kenya has unveiled its first Mental Health Policy that will focus the nation’s attention on addressing mental illnesses.

The policy (2015-2030), which was launched on Tuesday, seeks to destigmatize, decriminalize and deinstitutionalize mental health concerns, giving them high priority owing to the impact they have on a patient’s life as well as the socioeconomic development of the nation.

Issues such as the stigma that is associated with mental health as well as laws which criminalize mental health issues will all be addressed by the policy.

Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Cleopa Mailu said that mental health must be safeguarded by policy directives as well as legislation and that the policy would jump start the process.

“This policy is a landmark achievement in many ways. It focuses national attention on a long-neglected problem and does so with a welcome sense of urgency,” he said.

The CS further observed that mental health was rooted in the principles of human rights and that it drew support from the Constitution as well as various international conventions.

“Every person has a right to the highest attainable standard of health including the right to healthcare services, Vision 2030 and the Kenya Health Policy (2014-2030). This is the ultimate goal,” he explained.

Dr. Mailu also called upon all stakeholders to align their work plans to the policy in order for the country to transform mental health.

The policy will provide benchmarks for measuring the goals set for the provision of quality mental health services.  Read more..

​Download:  The Kenya Mental Health Policy 2015-2030