Kenya is grappling with a severe mental health crisis, reporting four suicides daily and leaving an estimated 75 percent of those needing care without access. A new plan was presented to integrate mental health services nationwide through the country's Universal Health Coverage framework.

• Suicide rates are approximately 11 per 100,000 people, with a severe shortage of professionals, including only 116 psychiatrists and 30 clinical psychologists for a population exceeding 50 million.
• The plan was presented by Mercy Mwende, COO of Thalia Psychotherapy (Mindful Kenya), at the 2025 Devolution Conference in Homa Bay.
• The proposed model aims to leverage existing health infrastructure, deploy trained practitioners, and use digital screening tools to make mental health care part of routine services.