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The senators are also pushing the government to expand mental health awareness programmes and launch anti-stigma campaigns.
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The concerns, senators said, are an indication of enormous social challenges and unmet needs at the social level.
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Senators now want the state to increase budget and integrate modules on mental health in the competency-based curriculum to combat the illness.
Led by nominated Senator Hezena Lemaletian, the lawmakers want the government to enhance funding for mental healthcare professionals.
“Inadequate investment in mental health worsens the situation by limiting their inclusion in the community,” she said.
The development comes amid reports of a sharp increase in mental health cases.
A task force on mental health established that Kenya has a high burden of mental illness due to ill health, psychosocial disability and premature mortality with huge gaps in access to care.
Lemaletian said the mental health modules in the CBC should encompass life skills and resilience training that would address the alarming rates of psychological disturbance, especially suicidal behaviour among adolescents.
The senators are also pushing the government to expand mental health awareness programmes and launch anti-stigma campaigns.
They want the state to ensure that the Social Health Insurance Fund and emergency chronic and critical illness coverage for comprehensive mental healthcare services.
“The government should review the national tax policy to allocate the recommended Sh250 per capita for mental healthcare from the current amount of 15 cents,” she said.
“I urge this House to prioritise responsive budgeting, which would lead to a higher allocation of funds that will buttress the formulation and implementation of mental health policies and intervention strategies.”
They also called for strengthening of health financing laws to allocate more funds to procure and equip mental healthcare centres and improve such services across all counties.
Further, the senators want the state to implement a digital health management system that would enhance data collection and monitoring of mental health services.
“These recommendations aim to address the urgent need for improved mental healthcare services and support in Kenya, particularly for vulnerable populations,” Lemaletian said.
The senators raised concerns about the rapid increase in suicides, mental health conditions, substance use and abuse and addictive disorders of epidemic proportions.
The concerns, they said, are an indication of enormous social challenges and unmet needs at the social level.
“Stigma and discrimination are major barriers to the improvement of the mental health and well-being of the population as they contribute to the violation of the human rights of people with mental and psychosocial disabilities,” senator said.
Nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana said that under-investment in mental health has worsened the situation.
“The state has invested in malaria, HIV and other illnesses. It should do the same to the mental health,” Kibwana said.
The team found out that the majority of populations in Kenya associate mental health and mental illness with negative narratives leading to a low focus on the importance and benefits of mental health and well-being.
The team also recommended that mental illness be declared a national emergency of epidemic proportions, to prioritise mental health as a priority public health and socioeconomic agenda.
It recommended that mental health be provided with adequate financing in line with international best practice.
It is estimated that one in every 10 people suffer from a common mental disorder.
The number increases to one in every four people among patients attending routine outpatient services.