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Kenya launches policy to enhance mental health response

Xinhua, May 17, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Kenyan ministry of health and multilateral partners on Tuesday launched a new policy to strengthen response to mental disorders that affects an estimated 10 percent of the country's population.

Cabinet Secretary for Health Cleopa Mailu said the Kenya Mental Health Policy covering 2015-2030 will guide strategic interventions to prevent and treat a range of psychiatric disorders emanating from substance abuse, poverty and stress.

Mailu said the government is committed to reducing the burden of mental illnesses through investments in health infrastructure, personnel and public awareness.

"As a government, we have prioritized policy and financing interventions to help combat mental disorders that have placed a huge burden on our public health facilities," he told journalists in Nairobi.

The East African nation has endorsed global instruments that root for robust policies, legislation and financing to reduce the burden of mental illnesses.

Mailu said both the county and national referral health facilities have established units dedicated to prevention and treatment of mental disorders.

"Mental health services are now available in public hospitals and we are training more psychiatric nurses to be deployed in these facilities," said Mailu, adding the government aims to allocate 5 percent of the health budget towards prevention and treatment of mental disorders.

The government should pay attention to socio-economic triggers of mental disorders that includes poverty, violence and substance abuse.

Custodia Mandlhate, WHO Kenya Country Representative, said that besides clinical interventions, economic empowerment and public education were key to reduce the burden of mental illnesses in Kenya.

"Kenya should pay attention to a range of socio-economic, biological and environmental factors that cause mental disorders. There is need to provide integrated social care services in community based settings to promote mental health," said Mandlhate.

Globally, 450 million people suffer from mental disorders, and the number is likely to increase due to stressful living conditions linked to rapid urbanization, according to WHO. Enditem