Mentally ill people the world over are bound in a prison of stigma and prejudice yet mental illnesses are common conditions affecting 1 in 4 people.

About Us

According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2003) people living in developing countries are disproportionately affected by mental illnesses due to poverty conditions, demographic transition, conflict and natural disasters. In Kenya, studies show that 20% of patients presenting to a primary health clinic suffer from a psychiatric illness, especially depression and anxiety, which co-exist with a physical illness (Ndetei, D.M., Muhangi , J. (1979) The Prevalance and Clinical presentation of psychiatric illness in a rural setting in Kenya.  British Journal of Psychiatry ,  135, 269-272).   Studies have not yet been done to show the extent to which the Kenyan post-election violence which saw over 1000 dead , 1/2 a million displaced, homes burnt and property looted, affected the prevalence of mental illnesses.

Diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses are complicated by the misunderstanding of such illnesses and the stigma that goes with it, two critical problems that block many people from seeking the treatment that they need. Other major challenges facing mental health in Kenya include financial constraints (0nly 0.01% of total Kenyan health budget is spent on mental health) and shortage of personnel, with130 psychiatrists for a population of 35 million, only 10 of whom serve the 28 million people living outside Nairobi.  All this despite the fact that 50% live below the poverty level. These factors put treatment for mental illnesses out of reach for most Kenyans and contribute to mishandling and poor management of mentally ill persons (MIPs).

USP Kenya was established with the purpose of advocating for better mental health in Kenya. The organization is registered as an NGO within the framework of World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (WNUSP).

Vision:  A world in which people with mental disorders are not only treated with honor and dignity but realize their potential

Mission: To be a national forum and voice of  people affected by mental illnesses, to promote their rights and interests

USP-Kenya is a membership organization dedicated to not only preventing mental illnesses, but also to protecting the human rights, self determination and dignity of all mentally ill persons (MIPs) in Kenya. USP-Kenya seeks to  enhance participatory and humane treatment for mentally ill persons (MIPs)  through education not only of themselves alone but of  their families, carers and society as a whole. USP-K enables people affected by mental illnesses to live and work as productive members of society.

USP Kenya has the following objectives;

1. Advocate for the advancement of human rights of mentally ill persons (MIPs)

2. Provide national and regional  representation and consultation to influence matters that affect MIPs

3. Encourage the development of local  user / survivor groups  at grass root and national  levels

4. Facilitate effective information exchange among user / survivor groups in Kenya and beyond

5. Develop networking opportunities for individuals and groups of users and survivors of psychiatry in Kenya, and

6.  Provide expert advice on prevention and treatment of mental illnesses

Mentally ill persons require love, care and understanding. Many different factors such as genetics, pre-natal and post-natal factors, environment, personality make-up and others work together to cause mental disorders. There are people who develop mental illnesses as a result of being sexually and/or emotionally abused or as a result of accidents that cause head injuries.  Other such illness result from oxygen deprivation such as in cases of drowning or prolonged labor.  MIPs are not to blame for their illnesses.  Together, we can educate everyone to support the release of mentally ill persons from the prison of ignorance, stigma and prejudice.

Users and Survivors of Psychiatry

Kenya