As mental health continues to be a pressing global concern, Kenya is ramping up efforts to address the growing crisis.
According to September 2024 mental health evaluation revelation, Kenya’s Ministry of Health’s Director General, Dr. Patrick Amoth, explained that 10.3% of Kenyans suffer from depression, while 42% seek mental health support through primary care. Amoth also acknowledged a significant gap in mental health literacy among primary healthcare workers.
Similarly in February 2025, Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen cited a troubling trend in mental health during the launch of a report on drug and substance abuse among university students. The CS stressed the need for a national conversation and urgent interventions to tackle the mental health crisis.
Stepping into this critical space is Calistus Wekesa Simiyu, founder of Afya Care Foundation, an organization committed to raising awareness and promoting mental wellness particularly among the youth.
Afya Care focuses on mental health education, counseling, and therapy for young people aged 13 – 40. The organization also advocates for drug and substance abuse prevention through community-based initiatives and training programs.
“We are an NGO working with the youth aged between 13 and 40. We provide professional counseling and therapy to address depression, anxiety, and trauma, fostering mental wellness,” said Wekesa.
Over the past two years, Afya Care Foundation has been active in seven counties across Western Kenya—Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Turkana, Bungoma, Busia, Vihiga, and Kakamega where stigma still surrounds mental illness, often being associated with witchcraft.
In regards to the myths and misconceptions surrounding mental health, Afya Care is challenging these beliefs and educating communities about the reality of mental health challenges.
The foundation conducts school outreach programs to warn students at risk due to peer pressure and adolescence, about the dangers of drug and substance abuse, which are directly linked to mental health disorders.
Wekesa is particularly concerned that 75% of all mental health disorders begin at an early age, a stage he believes is being neglected.
While some adults may access mental health services through their workplaces, the youth often lack structured support systems and are more vulnerable to substance abuse and depression.
“The youth are the future leaders of this country, yet they are largely marginalized when it comes to mental health support. Unlike some adults, they rarely have structured programs or access to regular counseling,” he said.
Afya Care’s internal report highlights the tangible impact of its work: 1lA total of 105 youths have recovered from mental illness. At the same time,159 individuals have been rescued and rehabilitated from substance abuse. Also, 18,000 young people have been trained to champion mental health awareness.
As a way of tackling this problem, the Kenyan government, through the Ministry of Health, is implementing a strategic mental health roadmap (2021–2025), which aims to reform mental health care and embed wellness into the national healthcare system. Aligning with these efforts, Afya Care has been recognized for its success and selected by Aspire Integrated Health Foundation, a global organization that supports refugee mental health across Africa.
The partnership will see Afya Care expand its programs to refugee camps in the North Rift region, Dadaab and Kakuma in Turkana County which host refugees from Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, Sudan, and South Sudan. Afya Care will offer tailored interventions, including counseling, therapy, mental health education, and recreational activities such as sports, to help refugees cope with trauma and the challenges of displacement.
“May is a special month for us. It’s a time to amplify awareness and push for a society that values mental wellness,” Wekesa told Africa Feature Network.
Citing the 2021 Ministry of Health report that found 44.3% of adolescents had experienced mental health issues within the previous year, Wekesa warns that the number could now be significantly higher due to worsening economic conditions.
“The 2021 report stated one in four people suffer from mental illness. But with the current hardships in 2025, it could now be one in two—and many are silently medicated,” he noted.
To date, Afya Care Foundation has reached 33,000 youths through school-based mental health campaigns and 33,500 individuals through community workshops and outreach.
Wekesa is confident that consistent, grassroots-level education and support can build a mentally resilient society, not just in Kenya, but across Africa. He is calling for more training for healthcare workers to better respond to rising cases of mental illness among youth and ensure timely, informed intervention.
“We must equip healthcare providers with the skills and knowledge to address the mental health crisis. That’s the only way we can win this battle,” he emphasized.
Thank you so much Afya Care Foundation for this noble cause, it has been a big challenge that people lack the knowledge on how to tackle it especially in upcountry. May you be empowered to consistently visit people and create awareness