One in four patients: Psychiatrists raise alarm over surging mental illness in Murang’a

Dr. Mbuthia Wagoki, the lead psychiatrist at the hospital, revealed that the facility handles at least 50 mental health cases daily. 

However, the hospital’s mental health ward, which has a bed capacity of only 20, is stretched beyond its limits.

“This is an alarmingly high number that requires urgent and concerted efforts to address before the situation gets out of hand,” Dr. Wagoki stated.

The psychiatrist also noted a worrying rise in suicide cases in the region, with most victims being men. He attributed the growing mental health crisis to conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and substance abuse.

“Depression and schizophrenia cases are on the rise, but many affected individuals are unaware of their condition until they undergo medical assessment,” he said. 

“Some common signs of mental illness include changes in behavior, social withdrawal, hallucinations, and overvalued thinking.”

Dr. Wagoki identified alcohol and drug abuse, alongside financial struggles, as major contributors to the mental health challenges, particularly among the youth.

To tackle the crisis, the hospital has initiated outreach campaigns through community health promoters, providing psychotherapy services to reduce the number of patients seeking care at the facility.

“We want to address the issue at the grassroots level so that only severe cases are referred to the hospital,” Dr. Wagoki explained. “We are also offering counseling services at all health facilities as part of an early intervention strategy.”

Peter Kamau, a mental wellness advocate, has urged the government to prioritize mental health, describing the situation as a ticking time bomb.

“The majority of those affected are youth in their prime years. This should be a wake-up call for the government to allocate more resources and deploy more counselors to tackle this menace,” Kamau said.

He further called on both the county and national governments to create income-generating programs for young people. “Keeping the youth engaged can help deter them from turning to alcohol and drug abuse, which are key drivers of mental illness,” he added.

As mental health cases continue to surge, experts are emphasizing the need for early interventions, increased funding, and community-driven solutions to avert a larger crisis.