On the 10th of October, 2021, the world marked World Mental Health Day. Mental health incorporates emotional, psychological and social well-being. This is important as it affects how individuals feel, think and act, as well as relating to others. Mental health also plays a critical role in determining how we cope with stress.
Everyone has moments when they feel low or stressed. To some, these moments come and vanish. But to others, these emotions develop into something negative. These people tend to suffer from mental health that is unknown to them, hence end up keeping these feelings to themselves instead of sharing.
Anyone can suffer from mental health, however, the only difference is how to deal with it. It is therefore advised, we should not stigmatize mental health disorders.
The Kenya Mental Health Policy 2015-2030, provides a substructure on interventions for securing mental health system reforms in Kenya. This is in line with the constitution of Kenya 2010, vision 2030, the Kenya Health Policy (2014-2030) and the global commitments.
The constitution of Kenya 2010, in article 43(1)(a), provides that ‘every person has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, which includes the right to healthcare services’. This necessarily includes mental health.