Breaking Barriers in Mental Health: Universal Screening Initiative in Vihiga
2023
For years, mental health has remained a silent crisis in many communities, often overlooked or misunderstood. In Vihiga County, a rising number of individuals seeking psychiatric care underscores the urgent need for accessible mental health services. To bridge this gap, a Universal Mental Health Screening Programme was launched—an initiative designed to integrate mental health care into public health facilities through strategic collaboration.
From Call for Change to Global Recognition
This initiative traces its roots to the Call for Change workshop, a program led by Common Thread in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the World Bank. The workshop convened experts to explore scalable mental health solutions, leading to funding for the pilot programme in Vihiga County.
Building on this momentum, Thalia Psychotherapy LLC was co-founded as the holding company for Thalia subsidiaries, facilitating the development of commercially viable mental health solutions while ensuring research and implementation remained central.
With this strong foundation, Villgro Africa invested in scaling the initiative beyond Vihiga. To further sustainability, outcomes-based financing is being explored, reinforcing the commitment to making mental health care both accessible and impact-driven.
A Growing Concern
Recent health facility data highlights a sharp increase in mental health conditions, ranging from stress-related disorders to substance-induced psychiatric cases. One sub-county alone accounts for the majority of cases, largely due to hosting the region’s primary mental health facility.
Stigma, limited resources, and a shortage of trained personnel have traditionally hindered access to mental health care. Many individuals suffer in silence, unsure of where to seek help. This initiative aims to change that by ensuring every public health facility has a dedicated mental health desk, offering voluntary screenings, counseling, and referrals.
Dr. David Okello, Chief Medical Officer, alongside Dr. Kaliti (MoH Kenya School Program), Mercy Mwende (COO, Thalia), and Dennis Mwangi (Managing Partner, Thalia) at the launch of Afya Shuleni—a collaborative initiative uniting organizations and government to strengthen school-based health programs.
At Pendeza Community, we recognize the urgent need to make mental health care accessible and culturally acceptable, particularly for vulnerable populations. Through our partnership with Thalia Psychotherapy, we have expanded mental health screenings, counseling sessions, and resilience workshops, reaching over 1,000,000 individuals across Kenya.
Expertise Driving Change
A key aspect of this programme is the development of structured mental health services, ensuring that screening protocols, training for healthcare workers, and service delivery meet international standards while remaining practical for the local community.
“Mental health should be treated with the same urgency as any other health condition. Early detection is key to preventing long-term complications and improving recovery outcomes.”
— Dr. David Okello, Chief Medical Officer
A Community-Centered Approach
The programme is designed to be inclusive and community-driven, recognizing that mental health affects everyone. Public awareness campaigns, local leader engagement, and specialized healthcare training are critical in breaking stigma and encouraging help-seeking behavior.
In addition to supporting patients, the initiative also prioritizes healthcare professionals, acknowledging the emotional toll of caregiving. Specialized support services are being implemented to ensure that health workers have access to the resources they need.
A Step Towards Lasting Change
As the pilot programme progresses, its impact is already visible. More people are seeking help, awareness is increasing, and a strong foundation for sustainable mental health care is being established.
With investment from Villgro Africa, recognition from Google for AI, VivaTech, and African Business Heroes, and the pursuit of outcomes-based financing, this initiative is poised to transform mental health care in Vihiga and beyond.
Building on this success, new collaborations are strengthening the initiative’s reach. Partnerships with Rotary District 9212 and Rotary Creatives Fellowship are expanding mental health advocacy, particularly for children and young people. By working with diverse organizations, this initiative continues to evolve, ensuring that mental health care becomes more accessible and community-driven.
As the programme grows, there is an open invitation for like-minded organizations to join in shaping a more inclusive, sustainable, and impactful mental health ecosystem.