THAT, aware that Article 43 of the Constitution of Kenya (2010) gives the citizens of this Country and residents of Nairobi City County a right to the highest attainable standard of health including the right to health care services; further aware that Health Services including County Health facilities and primary health care have been devolved to the County Governments pursuant to paragraph 2 of Part Two of the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution; acknowledging that mental health which includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being, affects how we think, feel, and act and also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices, which are important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood; concerned that many people in the County and the Country at large are experiencing mental health problems which has been exacerbated by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic; noting that there is no physical test or scan that reliably indicates whether a person has developed a mental illness; recognizing that mental health problem is a serious, lifelong and disabling condition and without the right support it can have a profound effect to individuals and families; observing that one of the
functions of the County Persons with disabilities Board is to provide to the maximum extent possible assistive devices, appliances and other equipment to persons with disabilities; and access to available information and technical assistance to all institutions and organizations concerned with the welfare and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities; this Assembly urges the County Executive in conjunction with the Nairobi Metropolitan Services to develop a County mental health policy to address both mental disorders and broader issues that promote mental health; and develop programmes and strategies to promote mental health in the County.