The 17th Kenya Psychiatrists Annual Scientific Conference concluded on Saturday in Eldoret with calls to county and national governments to prioritize funding for mental health services. Experts noted that mental health issues are increasingly on the rise, affecting all cadres of society both in Kenya and globally. Recent statistics by the World Health Organization reveal that nearly 1 billion people are affected worldwide.
With September marked as Suicide Prevention Month, stakeholders—led by renowned psychiatrist Prof. Frank Njenga and Dr. Mercy Karanja, the Kenya Psychiatric Association (KPA) President, who also serves as the Director of Mental Health at the Ministry of Health urged partners to build on the gains already made in mental health. They emphasized that awareness is at an all-time high, but sustained support and resources are crucial for meaningful impact.
