At least 15 per cent of the approximately 24.9 million Kenyans who are working are living with at least one mental health condition, the Ministry of Health has said.
According to the data by the ministry, this translates to approximately 3.7 million Kenyans living with a mental health condition.
The most common mental health conditions in Kenya include anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, schizophrenia and bipolar mood disorder.
In response, the ministry on Thursday launched Workplace Mental Wellness Guidelines in an event that took place at Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The aim of the guidelines is to promote mental wellness at the workplace through three main strategic interventions; promotion, prevention, care and support.
Health CS Susan Nakhumicha acknowledged that a harmful or negative work environment can significantly contribute to physical and mental health problems, harmful use of alcohol and substances and exacerbate existing mental illnesses.
“The government recognizes mental health as a serious public health and development concern,” Nakhumicha said.
It is estimated that the average adult spends an average 35 hours per week at work which adds up to 1,795 hours per year and over 84,365 hours in a lifetime.
She noted that mental health challenges significantly affect the productivity and performance of the working population.
According to the Kenya Mental Health Investment Case 2021, it is estimated that the economic burden related to mental health conditions on the Kenyan economy was Sh62.2 billion in 2020, an equivalent loss of 0.6 per cent of the GDP in 2020.
“Ninety-one per cent of this annual cost was attributed to premature mortality, absenteeism and presenteeism while health care expenditure accounted for only nine per cent,” the CS said.
“This study also found interventions for depression, anxiety and alcohol use disorder have a significant return on investment over 10 to 20 years,” she added.
This, the CS said, demonstrates the need to invest in mental health at the workplace as the benefits go beyond health to increased productivity and socioeconomic development.
In the launched guidelines, employees will be required to prioritize their own mental wellness through engaging in self-care, developing coping skills, having a social support system and seeking mental health care when needed.
Managers and supervisors on the other hand will be required to create a supportive working environment that recognises abilities and matches tasks with abilities, identifying those who are at risk and linking them with necessary support.
The organisation's leadership will also be required to provide a conducive work environment by setting up wellness programmes and providing the required resources.
The guidelines according to Nakhumicha, are applicable for all workplaces in the country including private, public, formal and informal contexts.
