Kenya Launches National Guidelines on Mental Wellness at Workplace

By Samuel Ouma

The Kenyan government on Thursday unveiled the National Guidelines on Mental Wellness at the workplace.

Acting Director General of Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, led the launch on behalf of Cabinet Secretary for Health, Nakhumicha S. Wafula, in an event held at Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital in Nairobi.

“These new Workplace Mental Wellness Guidelines, developed by the Ministry of Health, emphasize promotion, prevention, care, and support,” said Dr Amoth.

According to the guidelines, everyone in any working organization should be included in the wellness journey, with employees required to engage in self-care, coping skills, and seeking social support and care.

In the guidelines, the employers are required to enhance a supportive working environment that can easily link employees to care and provide necessary resources to operationalize the guidelines,

Kenya's government has long recognized mental health's importance, aligning reforms with the Universal Health Coverage Policy and international standards.

The Mental Health Action Plan (2021-2025) further solidifies Kenya's commitment to mental health alongside its economic and sustainable development goals.

Dr. Joyce Nato, from WHO, said working people deserve an inherent right to the highest attainable mental health standards at work regardless of their type of employment.

Research shows that about 3.7 million Kenyans, out of 24.9 million in the workforce, grapple with mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar mood disorder.