Speaker
Description
Background
Mental health disorders among adolescents and youth in Kenya are a growing public health concern, often overlooked in mainstream health programming. Despite the increasing visibility of depression, anxiety, and trauma-related conditions, young people—especially those in urban informal settlements—face persistent barriers to accessing mental health care. These include stigma, socio-cultural myths, inadequate service availability, and high costs of care. Rise and Thrive Youth Initiative conducted this research to assess the mental health landscape for youth in Nairobi County, identify key challenges, and inform evidence-based programming and advocacy.
Methods
This study employed a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative data collection. A structured questionnaire was administered to 500 youth respondents aged 15–30 years across five sub-counties in Nairobi, selected through purposive and random sampling.
Additionally, 20 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and 10 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with mental health professionals, peer educators, community leaders, and affected youth were conducted. Data analysis included descriptive statistics for quantitative data and thematic content analysis for qualitative insights.
Results
The study found that 68% of respondents had experienced symptoms of depression or anxiety in the past year, yet only 12% had accessed any form of professional help. 84% of participants cited stigma and fear of judgment as major barriers to seeking support. 61% indicated they were unaware of available mental health services in their area. Financial limitations, cultural beliefs, and poor confidentiality in public health settings were also highlighted. Respondents strongly supported youth-led peer counseling, school-based interventions, and digital mental health platforms as potential solutions.
Conclusion
The research underscores a significant mental health service gap for young people in Nairobi County. It highlights the urgent need for community-driven, youth-friendly, and affordable mental health interventions. The findings advocate for strengthened mental health education, integration of services into primary healthcare, and policy reforms to support youth mental wellness. Stakeholders, including NACADA, can use this evidence to prioritize mental health in national youth development agendas and invest in innovative, inclusive care models.
