Youth Affairs, the Creative Economy and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya says the ministry has rolled out programmes in partnership with Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital and Youth in College at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) to offer mental health assistance to youths.

He said this includes sensitisation, screening and referral services for youth who may not wish to use in-college counselling, adding that on-the-spot mental health support is available.

“The ministry also uses the services of the Officer in Charge of Employee Wellness to provide on-the-spot guidance on matters of mental health,” the CS said when he appeared before the Senate plenary to answer questions from members.

He was responding to a question by Nominated Senator Joyce Korir, who raised concerns over growing cases of anxiety, depression and identity crises among young people in Kenya, particularly those engaged in sports and the creative arts.

“Could the Cabinet Secretary provide details of the specific government programmes and initiatives in place to promote mental health and the overall well-being of young people in Kenya?” Nominated Senator Abdillahi Miraj, who asked the question on her behalf, posed.

Korir also sought to understand how the interventions had been tailored to address individual challenges facing the youth.

Mvurya also revealed that Sports and Arts Therapy Programmes, such as Sports for Development and Creative Therapy Workshops, are designed to foster mental well-being through engagement in sports and the arts, promoting resilience, teamwork and emotional expression.

He also cited partnerships with psychologists and counsellors to offer tailored services during youth sports camps and arts events, as well as public awareness campaigns.

“Initiatives like #EndTheStigmaKE and Mental Health Awareness Weeks target young people to promote open dialogue, destigmatisation and help-seeking behaviour,” the CS said.

To tackle anxiety and depression, Mvurya highlighted mobile counselling outreach.

He said in partnership with NGOs, the ministry has deployed mobile mental health units to reach young people in remote areas during sports and arts events as he pointed to multiple access channels for services.

“Youth can access mental health services through referrals from coaches and youth officers, direct contact with on-site counsellors during events and toll-free mental health helplines.”

On integrating mental health support into youth programmes, Mvurya said the ministry is a key partner in implementing the National Multisectoral Mental Health Action Plan (2021–2025), which prioritises youth mental health through joint campaigns and community outreach.

He noted specific collaborations with Basic Needs Kenya and NACADA, saying the partnerships focus on mental health awareness during sports tournaments and training peer educators in mental health literacy.

“Mental health has now been formally integrated into athlete welfare,” he stated.

“The National Sports Safety Framework, developed with input from the Ministry of Health, includes mental health as a critical component of athlete safety and wellness,” the CS added.

Senators, in supplementary remarks, urged the CS to fast-track all ongoing projects and deepen existing programmes to address youth mental health more robustly.