Lamu becomes first county to introduce digital mental health training
Lamu faces a growing mental health burden worsened by drug abuse, insecurity and poverty.
Lamu County has made history as the first in Kenya to roll out a digital e-learning course on addiction and harm reduction, marking a new chapter in the fight against mental illness and substance abuse.
The initiative developed by the Muslim Education and Welfare Association (MEWA) through its Digital Hub is designed to train health workers, teachers and community leaders on how to identify, support and manage people battling substance use disorders and mental health challenges.
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“Mental illness is real. It is not caused by witchcraft, possession or stealing from others. It is a medical condition just like malaria or diabetes,” said Dr Moiglhjhamed Mude, Lamu County Mental Health Coordinator and Psychologist, urging residents to seek help without shame.
Lamu faces a growing mental health burden worsened by drug abuse, insecurity and poverty. Regional survey data from the Coast indicate a high level of current substance use in Lamu.
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) found current use of at least one substance at about 32 per cent in Lamu during its Coast baseline survey.
Locally, the county’s methadone (MAT) clinic at King Fahd County Referral Hospital has attended 381 clients since 2021, reflecting rising demand for treatment services.
County and national facility data also show that specialised mental-health services remain concentrated in a few main hospitals, leaving many communities without easy access to care.
The MEWA Digital Hub programme aims to bridge this gap by providing accessible online training for community-level responders. Dr Mude said the platform will help health workers in facilities such as King Fahad, Mpeketoni, Faza and Witu hospitals to offer improved support to affected individuals.
“With this training, we are building capacity in places where mental health services are limited,” he added.
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