Mental health 'neglected' in Kenya

Not enough attention is being paid to mental health issues in Kenya, it has been claimed.

The Associated Press has reported that just 0.01 per cent of the health budget in Kenya is spent on mental health, which compared to six per cent in the US.

However, around a quarter of Kenyans asking for medical help have mental health problems, according to says Dr David Kiima, director of mental health in Kenya.

He has suggested that as many as ten per cent of the population could have issues with mental health, with one per cent being serious enough to require treatment as inpatients.

Edah Maina, head of the Kenya Society for the Mentally Handicapped (KSMH), added that there is discrimination against people with mental health issues.

"The community does not see these people as human beings. They do not see their suffering," she told the news agency.

The KSMH tries to assist people with problems including Down Syndrome, Aspergers Syndrome, Autism, Dyslexia, severe cerebral palsy and epilepsy.