Concerned by the state of mental health issues, the President ordered formation of a task-force on mental health in November 2019. The team was inaugurated on December 11th, 2019 by Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, to study the status of mental health in the country, and recommend solutions to reform mental health systems. The Taskforce on Mental Health declared in its report that mental illness should be declared a national emergency, and that mental health should be treated as a priority public health agenda. The team also recommended a mental health and happiness commission, to advise, coordinate and continuously monitor the status of mental health, and report on the annual National Happiness Index. Given the substantial anticipated burden of mental disorders in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, mental health response should be given high priority.

Source: Standard Digital July 10, 2021 15:56 UTC