Nakuru: The County Government of Nakuru is drafting a workplace policy aimed at enhancing the psycho-social and mental wellness of employees. The policy seeks to ensure sensitivity to workers’ needs by establishing sustainable mental health interventions for improved quality service delivery.
According to Kenya News Agency, the draft policy is being crafted to set standards for workplace counselling and wellness services among the employees, establish a coordinated framework for such programmes, and operationalise counselling and wellness services across the departments. County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Public Service, Training and Devolution, Mr Ambrose Ngare, indicated that the proposed policy seeks to align mental health services with the Constitution of Kenya, National and Global health agendas.
While addressing a panel that is developing the comprehensive ‘Nakuru County Public Service Counselling and Wellness Policy’ at the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC), Mr Ngare said the policy is being prepared to address the systemic challenges, respond to emerging trends, and mitigate the burden of mental disorders in the workplace. He stressed the importance of prioritising employee welfare to boost productivity and ensure efficient county operations.
The draft document that recognises the importance of employing a multi-sectoral approach in addressing mental health issues in the devolved unit also proposes integration of mental health services within all levels of the healthcare system. It promotes respect and observance of the rights of persons with mental health challenges. In line with global evidence-based practice, the CECM indicated that it is important to adopt counselling and wellness services to maximise productivity for effective and efficient service delivery.
Mental health challenges are a global concern, with the World Health Organization estimating that at least 15 per cent of working-age adults had a mental disorder. The Kenya Mental Health Investment Case (2021) showed that mental health conditions cost the country Sh62.2 billion, where the majority of this cost was attributed to absenteeism and presenteeism.
Mr Ngare disclosed that the County Government is already implementing a range of preventive and promotional measures to address mental health challenges in the workplace, aiming to improve employee well-being. The CECM acknowledged the challenges across all departments and underscored the need for immediate action, investing in mental wellness initiatives that are employer-friendly and provide an environment for workers to share personal challenges.
The county government is providing psycho-educational support to its workers due to increasing demand. Mr Ngare suggested that supervisors should act immediately upon detecting mental health issues among employees, treating them as emergencies. He encouraged health workers to consult superiors, peers, and family members during difficult times.
To create a healthy workspace, Mr Ngare advised supervisors to understand the unique opportunities and needs of individual workers. He emphasized the importance of communication channels among employees to detect stress triggers and act promptly. Ignoring mental health could lead to increased reports of violent crimes and other issues, he warned.
Director of Human Resource Management, Ms Jackie Kangogo, highlighted the importance of developing a comprehensive plan for training staff on prevention and identifying problems to improve workplace mental health. She affirmed that employers have a responsibility to create a supportive workplace culture and suggested offering flexible work arrangements to reduce stress.
Principal Administrator Mr Gitonga Kinyanjui emphasized the need for open conversations within families and professional counselling for navigating complex emotions like grief. He noted that addressing mental health requires policies and community initiatives.
Recent studies have revealed that many organizations in Kenya, including Government departments and agencies, have workers suffering from a range of mental illnesses.
