In the wake of recent tragedies, Kenya finds itself confronted with a sobering reality: the silent epidemic of men’s mental health struggles.
In the span of just one week, the country has faced a heartbreaking surge in suicides among men, highlighting a critical yet often neglected issue: men’s mental health.
These tragedies, occurring during Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, emphasize the urgent need for open conversations and effective interventions.
The deaths of three men this past week have sent shockwaves through the community.
A high-ranking National Intelligence Service officer allegedly shot himself dead in Nairobi, leaving behind a note detailing his struggle with depression. In Nyamira, a secondary school teacher took his own life after losing Sh50,000 in a bet, leaving behind a grieving family. In Siaya, a man drowned himself, further illustrating the pervasive despair affecting men across the country.
These incidents are not anomalies.
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women. Statistics reveal a prevalence of common mental illnesses in Kenya, including depression and anxiety disorders, affecting approximately 10.3 per cent of the population.
Severe depression
Shockingly, 42 per cent of those attending general medical facilities in Kenya exhibit symptoms of severe depression. Suicidal thoughts associated with depression have a lifetime prevalence estimated at 7.9 per cent, and for other mental illnesses, it ranges from 5-8 per cent.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Kenya’s crude suicide rate stands at 6.1 per 100,000 population, with an age-standardized suicide rate of 11.0 per 100,000 population.
This translates to about 4 suicide deaths per day.
While no reasons have been given for the surge in suicide cases, WHO previously suggested that such tragedies often stem from an inability to cope with life crises.
“Suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis with a breakdown in the ability to deal with life stresses, such as financial problems, relationship breakup or chronic pain and illness.” WHO further said that, in 2019, “over 77% of global suicides occurred in low- and middle-income countries”.
In 2020, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported that 1,442 Kenyans had attempted suicide between 2015 and 2018 – a conservative figure, as most cases are never reported.
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The organisation attributed the rise in cases to mental ill-health resulting from a breakdown in socio-economic safeguards, terming suicide the “last resort and path of escape for individuals with unaddressed mental health needs”.
“Research has shown that structural determinants of mental ill-health such as extreme poverty, lack of access to empowerment opportunities and discrimination increase the likelihood of individuals committing suicide,” the KNHCR said.
Yet, despite these statistics, the conversation around men’s mental health remains largely subdued.
“It’s time to break the silence. By fostering open dialogue and challenging outdated stereotypes, we can create a culture where men feel supported in addressing their mental well-being,” says Peter Nyaga, a mental health activist based in Kasarani, Nairobi.
“As we observe Men’s Mental Health Month, let’s commit to amplifying awareness and resources for men in need. Together, we can cultivate a society where mental health is prioritized.”
— By Wanjiku Hilda
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