In October, as Kenya and the world marked Mental Health Awareness Month and World Mental Health Day, our lead Psychologist, Faith Thuo, joined a panel discussion on NTV, hosted through the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), on a question every business leader will face: how do we grow without breaking the people behind the growth?
The conversation focused on why mental health can no longer be treated as an afterthought. The World Health Organization estimates that about 12 billion working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety, at a cost of roughly US$1 trillion in lost productivity. In Kenya, the Ministry of Health estimates poor mental health costs the economy about KES 62.2 billion annually, and a recent Cigna study found that 87% of Kenyan employees report experiencing stress, largely linked to the cost of living and financial strain.
Key themes from the discussion:
Why mental wellbeing is a business, economic and national priority, not just a personal issue.
Early signs and triggers of workplace mental health challenges, including “high-functioning” depression, where people keep performing while quietly struggling.
Practical, low-cost steps that SMEs and entrepreneurs can take, from manager check-ins and realistic workloads to peer support and clear referral paths.
Supporting young people and remote workers with boundaries, community and financial wellness.
The role of leaders, employers and the National Guidelines on Workplace Mental Wellness in building supportive workplaces.
Our message: sustainable growth depends on healthy people. Businesses that invest in wellbeing build stronger teams, better performance and more resilient organisations.
Watch the full discussion here: https://youtu.be/8q3YmlLxkA0?si=WYe7qbtTBZkDCZ7k
