Times are tough, we have just come out of a pandemic, elections are just around the corner, and the cost of living is rising and with this, the mental health of Kenyans is becoming an increasing matter of concern.

Even when a report by the Ministry of Health showed one in every 10 Kenyans suffers from a mental disorder, the government is yet to roll out measures to address the issue.

As most Kenyans have to chip in from their pockets to access counselling, others tend to look for affordable and easy solutions.

Kelvin Wamae, 35, a resident at Mathare, Nairobi says, he would rather wake up to a bottle of local alcohol, than go to talk to a counsellor.

“Why waste my money on someone who cannot help me solve my problems? I just take it out on the alcohol,” Wamae told the Star on Tuesday morning.

A Study published in Behavioral Medicine, states that drinking, smoking, and illegal drug use may be used to cope with depression and anxiety. Psychologists found that participants with very low incomes reported a higher number of health-compromising behaviours, compared to those with higher incomes.