KEMRI Contributes to National Efforts on Mental Health at 2nd Annual Conference

By Christine Njambi And Tele Kapkirwok

KEMRI delegates participated in the 2nd National Mental Health Conference, held from October 8th to 10th, 2025, in Nairobi. The event, convened by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in collaboration with partners including KEMRI, Amref Health Africa, the University of Nairobi, Aga Khan University, Chiromo Hospital Group, the Kenya Psychiatric Association, and Johnson & Johnson, brought together local and international experts to explore strategies for improving mental health outcomes in Kenya.

The three-day event convened under the theme “Securing the Future: A Holistic Approach to Mental Health for Generations,” highlighted the importance of addressing the mental health needs of Kenya through a holistic and intergenerational approach.

The conference was officially opened by the Cabinet Secretary MOH, Hon. Aden Duale with welcoming remarks from Ag. Head Division of Mental Health, MOH, Dr Mercy Karanja, and received a keynote address from Dr. Frank Njenga from Chiromo Hospital Group.

The agenda included many thought-provoking plenary discussions, sessions, and poster viewings. The discussions touched on mental health financing, lived experiences, metal health caregivers, building resilience, and child and adolescent mental health. The oral abstract and poster presentation covered an even broader scope of mental health research being carried out across the nation and in Africa.

Head of the Mental Health Department at KEMRI’s Centre for Clinical Research (CCR), Dr. Linnet Ongeri, was a panelist during the 2nd National Mental Health Conference. Dr. Ongeri who is also a member of the Kenya’s Mental Health Taskforce, reflected on the progress made since its establishment five years ago and contributed her expert insights during a plenary panel discussion on suicide prevention.

Dr. Ongeri highlighted the KEMRI’s role in collecting data that informed the 2020 Mental Health Taskforce Report, which provided key insights into the mental health and wellbeing of Kenyans. She noted that current suicide statistics in Kenya largely rely on World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, which may not accurately reflect the true burden of suicide in the country.

She further shared that, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and other mental health stakeholders, KEMRI is helping in planning and implementing the National Baseline Mental Health Survey (NBMHS) set to begin in 2026. The survey aims to determine the prevalence of mental health conditions, identify treatment gaps, and assess the impact of these conditions on the quality of life among Kenyans.

Following the learning sessions and fruitful discussions, the KEMRI team laced up their walking shoes to participate in the annual Mental Health Awareness Walk as a part of World Mental Health Day. The vibrant event, filled with solidarity and hope, was a powerful visual statement about the importance of community in supporting mental wellbeing. The atmosphere was joyful and energetic. The huge youth presence at the event served as a powerful reinforcement of the conference’s theme and core message of securing the future and involving the young upcoming generations.

The participation of our staff in this national dialogue underscores KEMRI’s commitment to the holistic wellbeing of not only its workforce but the wellbeing of the nation. The insights from this conference will be instrumental as we continue to enhance our internal support systems and carry out more effective mental health research. We look forward to integrating these valuable perspectives into our work.