Kenya Establishes Advisory Committee to Spearhead First National Mental Health Survey

𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢, 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 – 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 – The Ministry of Health has inaugurated the National Advisory Committee for the National Baseline Mental Health Survey, a landmark initiative set to provide Kenya with its first nationally representative data on the burden of mental health conditions.

The committee, chaired by the Director General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, will provide oversight and strategic direction for the survey. Delivering remarks on his behalf, Dr. Bashir Issak, Head of Family Health at the Ministry, said the study responds to a critical gap identified by the 2020 Taskforce on Mental Health, which revealed that Kenya lacks comprehensive statistics on prevalence, treatment gaps, and socio-economic determinants of mental health.

“Current data is fragmented, localized, and largely facility-based, which does not capture the realities within our communities. This survey will fill that void and give us a clear, evidence-based foundation for policy and planning,” said Dr. Issak.

Although Kenya has a national mental health policy, Dr. Amoth noted that implementation has been hampered by limited resources. He cited the 2021 Mental Health Investment Case, which emphasized the urgent need for targeted funding and prioritization to strengthen services and reduce the treatment gap.

The survey is expected to generate national estimates of mental health conditions, shed light on socio-economic and demographic factors influencing mental well-being, and establish a baseline for monitoring progress. It will also provide evidence to strengthen advocacy, guide resource allocation, and improve service delivery across the country.

Dr. Amoth underscored the Advisory Committee’s central role in ensuring scientific rigor, translating findings into actionable policy, and driving cross-sector coordination. He stressed that the committee will be instrumental in advocating for increased budgetary allocations to mental health.

“This initiative must mark the turning point in how we treat mental health in Kenya. With your leadership, we can reduce stigma, expand access to care, and ensure mental health is integrated as a core component of overall well-being,” he said.

Also in attendance were Ms. Khatra Ali, Director of Health Services; Dr. Mercy Karanja, Head of Mental Health at the Ministry of Health; and Prof. Lukoye Atwoli, Dean of the Aga Khan University Medical College, East Africa, among others.