A new Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) study has revealed a worrying surge in mental health disorders in Mombasa, linking the trend to drug abuse, economic stress, and limited access to psychosocial support. Local experts are now calling for greater government investment and community-based interventions.
MOMBASA, Kenya — The calm of Mombasa’s shoreline conceals a growing storm — a wave of mental health disorders that experts say is silently eroding the wellbeing of thousands of residents. Behind the beauty of the Indian Ocean’s horizon lies a troubling story of depression, anxiety, and drug-induced psychosis tearing through coastal communities.
A new report by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) paints a grim picture: one in every five patients visiting outpatient clinics in Mombasa shows symptoms of a mental health disorder, ranging from stress and depression to acute psychosis. The organisation warns that the region is facing a “mental health crisis within a crisis.”
The MSF study, which reviewed data from public hospitals and community outreach clinics, shows that cases of anxiety and depression have doubled over the past two years, while incidents of self-harm and suicidal ideation are on the rise.
“We are witnessing a silent epidemic that’s growing faster than our response capacity,” said one MSF field coordinator involved in the study. “Mombasa’s hospitals and counselling centres are overwhelmed, and stigma continues to prevent many from seeking help.”
Crisis Deepened by Drug Abuse
In Mombasa’s informal settlements, drug addiction has long been an open secret. But counsellors say the line between substance abuse and mental illness has become increasingly blurred.
Bakari Ali, a counsellor at Reachout Centre Trust (RCT), an anti-drug organisation, said that drug use — particularly heroin, bhang, and emerging synthetic substances — has become a major trigger for psychological disorders.
“We are witnessing cases where drug addiction and mental illness feed off each other,” Ali explained. “Without early intervention, many young people end up trapped in a vicious cycle of dependency, depression, and despair.”
MSF data shows that nearly 60% of mental health patients in coastal counties have a history of substance use, mostly among men aged 18 to 35.
RCT, which runs rehabilitation and awareness programs across Mombasa and Kilifi, reports that seven out of ten clients seeking treatment exhibit symptoms of depression or anxiety, often worsened by family conflict and unemployment.
Ali added that the emotional toll extends beyond users themselves. “We are now seeing mothers and spouses developing trauma symptoms because of caring for addicted loved ones. This secondary stress is a hidden epidemic on its own,” he said.
Calls for Government Investment
Dr. Soud Ali Tengah, from the Mental Health Innovations and Research (MEHIR) organisation, described the MSF findings as a wake-up call for Kenya’s public health system.
He said mental health remains one of the least funded sectors in the country’s health budget — accounting for less than 1% of total health spending — despite growing evidence of its impact on productivity and social stability.
“Government action is urgently needed,” Dr. Tengah emphasized. “We cannot talk about development or economic recovery while mental health services are collapsing. There must be structured investment in community-based interventions, professional training, and psychosocial support programs.”
He noted that while Mombasa County has taken small steps — such as introducing mental health desks in some hospitals — these efforts are still far from adequate.
A MEHIR survey conducted in August 2025 found that over 70% of patients in need of counselling cannot access consistent therapy due to cost, long waiting periods, or stigma.
The Stigma Barrier
Even as awareness grows, stigma remains a major obstacle to recovery. In many coastal communities, people suffering from depression or psychosis are still viewed as bewitched or spiritually afflicted.
The MSF report noted that women make up 55% of new mental health patients, with many suffering from post-traumatic stress, domestic violence, and financial pressure. Yet, cultural barriers and social judgment often discourage them from seeking professional help.
Dr. Tengah believes that breaking stigma requires investment in public education and storytelling.
“We must make it normal for people to talk about their mental health. If we keep it in the shadows, we allow suffering to grow unchecked,” he said.
The Need for Community-Based Care
Experts agree that the fight against mental illness cannot be confined to hospitals. MSF and MEHIR both recommend expanding community-based psychosocial programs, training grassroots health workers, and integrating counselling into routine healthcare.
Some NGOs are already piloting small-scale outreach programs in Mombasa’s Changamwe, Likoni, and Kisauni areas, offering safe spaces for group therapy and youth dialogue. But most rely on donor funding and operate on minimal budgets.
“We have seen lives transformed through simple, consistent counselling sessions,” Ali said. “But sustainability is the problem. Once funding runs out, the programs collapse, and the cycle restarts.”
Hope Amid Challenges
Despite the grim statistics, there are flickers of hope. Kenya’s Ministry of Health has pledged to strengthen mental health infrastructure under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
Mombasa County recently announced plans to train counsellors, establish school-based therapy programs, and partner with organizations such as MSF and MEHIR to build a coordinated response system.
For advocates like Dr. Tengah, these are encouraging — but long overdue — steps.
“Mental health is not just a health issue,” he said. “It’s a development issue, an education issue, and a justice issue. We cannot build a healthy society if our people are silently breaking inside.”
A Call for Collective Healing
As the sun sets over the Indian Ocean, the call for healing — both personal and societal — grows louder. The waves may continue to wash Mombasa’s beaches, but for many, the real tide to confront is the one rising within: the quiet, relentless struggle for peace of mind.
