State of Mind
Kenya

The background on October Health's State of Mind Report

The world is facing a growing mental health crisis.

Kenya faces a multifaceted mental health crisis influenced by various socio-economic, cultural, and environmental factors. High levels of unemployment, poverty, and inequity contribute significantly to stress and mental health challenges. Additionally, the rapid urbanization and societal changes in Kenya add to feelings of isolation and anxiety, especially among the youth. The cultural stigma surrounding mental health issues often prevents individuals from seeking help, exacerbating conditions like depression and anxiety. Furthermore, Kenya’s mental healthcare resources are insufficient, with limited mental health professionals and inadequate funding in public health systems. To mitigate this crisis, Kenya needs to enhance investment in mental health services, including the training of more professionals and expanding accessibility, particularly in rural areas. Public education is essential to dispel myths and reduce stigma, promoting an environment where individuals feel supported in seeking help. Services like October could be part of the solution by offering digital support and resources where traditional access is limited.

Businesses are suffering without realising

Poor mental health has extremely significant costs to businesses:

• Lost productivity. Employees with mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or substance use disorders may be less productive and miss more work. This lost productivity results in lower output and revenue for businesses. Estimates suggest mental health problems reduce productivity and economic growth by up to 4% per year.
• Presenteeism. Some employees may come to work but not be fully productive due to poor mental health. This "presenteeism" still costs businesses money in the form of reduced performance and effectiveness. Presenteeism can be harder for employers to detect but can be even more costly than absenteeism.
• Higher healthcare costs. When mental health issues go untreated, they can lead to more severe health problems and higher healthcare costs. For example, untreated depression can increase the risk of chronic physical health issues, resulting in greater spending on healthcare premiums and services. Providing mental health benefits could help address issues early and reduce long-term healthcare costs.
• Recruitment and retention challenges. If a company does not provide adequate mental health support, it may struggle to attract and retain top talent. In today's market, mental health benefits and a supportive work culture are appealing to employees and candidates. When people's needs are met, they are more likely to join and stay at a company, which reduces costly turnover.
• Safety and risk issues. Poor mental health can impact judgment, focus, and decision making, which may put employee and public safety at risk in some jobs. Proactively supporting mental health and monitoring risks is important for companies where safety is a concern. Doing so could help prevent dangerous incidents and legal issues.