Umoja I MCA Mark Mugambi Macharia has promised to lobby for the formulation of mental health policies at the Nairobi County Assembly.
Mugambi made the remarks at a function held in Nairobi over the weekend to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.
“As a champion of mental health at the county assembly of Nairobi, I was privileged to attend and participate in the world's suicide prevention day walk,” Mugambi said.
He reiterated the need to establish mental health facilities across the county.
“I intend to continue pushing for the set up of mental health policies at the county. There's also a dire need to construct rehabilitation centres across our 17 sub-counties.”
Mugambi urged the county government to consider employing adequate personnel to help manage the crisis.
“We also need the county to employ professionals including psychologists, counsellors and psychiatrists to help manage and cure mental health illness across our county of Nairobi,” Mugambi said.
Mental health is an area of massive concern across the world and Kenya is no exception.
According to a finding by the World Health Organization (WHO), a staggering 1 out of 4 persons who seek healthcare in Kenya has a mental health condition.
“Depression is common and there are increasing rates of substance and alcohol use disorders,” WHO said.
Kenya constituted a Mental Health Taskforce in 2020 and has recently implemented several reforms to improve care for those with mental health conditions.
Edited by Tony Mballa
