Media Representation of Mental Health in Kenya: Points of Divergence from Health Practitioners’ Viewpoint in Kenya

Kagunda Julia, Ph.D. & Masibo Lumala, Ph.D., Moi University.

Abstract

This paper discusses how the Kenyan mainstream media represents mental health issues and points of divergence from the situation facing the mental health sector in Kenya. A critical analysis was needed because globally mental health is on the increase, with 25% of Kenyans affected by mental health-related issues, especially anxiety disorder, depression and psychosomatic illnesses. Globally as well as in Africa, media has been singled out as a critical partner in mental health public education and policy advocacy. It was therefore important to not only investigate how mainstream media in Kenya represents mental health issues but also establish how that representation compares with the ‘reality’ facing the mental health sector. The study adopted the relativist-constructivist paradigm, qualitative research approach and case study method. Purposive and snowball sampling strategies were applied to identify participants. Data was generated through in-depth interviews and document analysis while the data was analyzed thematically. Trustworthiness was ensured through methodological and data source triangulation and peer review. Ethical standards were upheld through seeking of relevant approvals, informed consent, upholding anonymity and confidentiality of the participants. The findings from the study established that whereas media representation of mental health issues has increased slightly in the Kenyan mainstream media, the representation tended to deviate from the situation facing the mental health sector in the country. This paper concludes by pointing out that mental health communication is complex, and it is imperative that the mental health stakeholders form strong collaboration with media, which will see result in capacity building of media personnel, pushing for mental health reporting guidelines and a strategic media advocacy plan for the media to drive mental health public education and policy influence.

Keywords: mental health, representation, mainstream media, health journalists and mental health experts