35 community counsellors graduate; Experts call for more grassroots mental health support

Kenya’s fight against rising cases of depression, suicides and drug abuse has received a boost after 35 community volunteer counsellors and interns completed their second-level training in mindful self-compassion. The graduates, drawn from various colleges and universities across the country, received certificates of participation in a programme sponsored by the Susan Gitau Counselling Foundation at Africana College of Professionals in Thika.

The group had earlier completed a first-level training in basic mental health and counselling skills in March 2025 under the Muungano Community Counsellors initiative.

Perpetual Wanjiku Ng’ang’a, a student at Moi University, said the training had equipped her with practical skills to help her peers, especially young people struggling with stress and depression. She argued that cultural norms have worsened the crisis.

“In African upbringing, children are wrongly taught to suppress their emotions as a sign of maturity. This has contributed to so many mental health problems. We must encourage people to come out, express their challenges and seek professional help as that is the best way to heal,” Wanjiku said.

She urged government to support community counsellors with platforms and resources to extend services to the grassroots.

Her colleagues, Earnest Ndung’u, Salome Ruguru Kanini and Jeremiah Bunge echoed her sentiments, saying they were motivated to join the programme after witnessing the devastating effects of mental illness in low-income areas and informal settlements.

“Drug and substance abuse, domestic violence, marriage breakups, teenage pregnancies, suicide, and even crime often stem from unresolved mental health issues,” said Ndung’u. “If the government worked out empowerment programmes and reduced the cost of living, many of these triggers would be addressed.”

Dr. Susan Gitau, Director of the Susan Gitau Counselling Foundation, said Kenya could learn from Rwanda, where community counsellors have been integrated into slum areas to help people battling drug abuse and trauma. She stressed the urgent need for government support.

“Community mental health counsellors are critical in tackling problems before they spiral into suicides, homicides and family breakdowns. Supporting grassroots counsellors will save lives and reduce the billions families spend on treatment every year,” Dr. Gitau said.

Kenya faces a mounting mental health crisis. According to the Ministry of Health, one in five patients seeking treatment suffers from a mental health condition, while one in four hospital admissions involves psychiatric illness.

The World Health Organisation estimates that more than 500 suicides are reported in Kenya annually, with young people and men disproportionately affected. Experts also warn of rising gender-based violence and crime linked to untreated mental health issues.

Dr. Gitau said strengthening community-level interventions was the most cost-effective way forward.

“It is far cheaper to invest in prevention through counselling than to spend fortunes on medication and hospitalisation later,” she added.

The foundation said it plans to continue scaling up training, targeting volunteers in underserved communities to bridge Kenya’s mental health gap.