Mental Health Statistics at a Glance

21% of Kenyan adults experienced a mental health condition in 2020[1]

5.6% of Kenyan adults experienced a serious mental health condition in 2020, which is often defined as a psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder or a severe anxiety or eating disorder that significantly impairs functioning[2]

In 2020, 32.1% of Kenyan adults experienced both a mental health condition and substance abuse[3]

In 2019, 15.3% of Kenyan veterans experienced a mental health condition[4], such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression or substance abuse

As of 2020, suicide is the second leading cause of death for Kenyan. children ages 10 to 14, preceded only by unintentional injury[5]

The impact depression and anxiety has on the global economy can be measured in $1 trillion in lost productivity each year[6]

In 2020, 51.2% of Kenyan females received mental health services, while only 37.4% of males received mental health services[7]

Young adults ages 18 to 25 in Kenya have the highest rate of experiencing any mental health concerns (30.6%) compared to adults aged 26 to 49 years, and the highest rate of serious mental illness (9.7%)[8]

Females are diagnosed with serious mental health conditions at higher rates than males, 7% to 4.2%, respectively[9]

The percentage of Kenyan adults receiving mental health treatment rose from 19.2% in 2019 to 21.6% in 2021[10]