Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association CEO Catherine Gachutha/photo courtesy

Mental health professionals have called for incorporation of mental health education into Kenya’s Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum citing a worrying rise in psychological disorders among young people.

Led by the Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association CEO Catherine Gachutha, the expert speaking in Kericho, stressed that the education system must empower students with the skills to cope with anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, and other mental health challenges.

“This issue demands a serious national debate,” said Prof. Gachutha, a senior psychologist and CEO of both the Kenya Institute of Business and Counselling (KIBCo) and the Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association (KCPA). “If we fail to act, we risk losing an entire generation to mental health crises.”

The call comes amid growing concerns over the mental well-being of learners, with experts warning that many students are silently battling emotional distress without access to adequate support systems.

Prof. Gachutha emphasized the need to begin mental health education as early as primary school. “Equipping children with coping mechanisms and emotional resilience from a young age will help them navigate life’s challenges more effectively,” she noted.

In addition to curriculum changes, the experts are also advocating for every learning institution—from primary schools to universities—to have trained counsellors capable of offering both instruction and psychological support.

“Many students are financially strained and face various personal struggles which, if not addressed, can lead to depression with devastating consequences,” Prof. Gachutha added. She further called for increased government funding for school-based and community mental health programs to ensure such services are accessible and sustainable.

The stakeholders also highlighted the importance of collaboration among government agencies, educational institutions, and local administrations to implement long-term mental health strategies.

“Addressing mental health requires a multi-sectoral approach. We need policies that support both prevention and intervention,” one counsellor said during the forum.

The push to include mental health education in the CBC reflects a broader recognition that student well-being is foundational to academic performance and long-term societal progress. Without urgent, coordinated action, experts warn the country could face severe social and economic consequences in the years to come.