Kenya Turns to Faith Leaders in Fight Against Suicide

Kenya is turning to religious leaders as part of a renewed national effort to prevent suicide.

On Thursday, a handbook was launched, aimed at equipping faith leaders with the knowledge and skills to identify, support and refer people experiencing suicidal thoughts and mental health challenges.

The Ministry of Health launched the Handbook on Suicide Prevention for Religious Leaders.

It signaled a shift towards strengthening suicide prevention efforts beyond hospitals and health facilities and into communities where religious leaders are often among the first people approached by those experiencing emotional distress.

The handbook was launched during the National Observance of World Suicide Prevention Day 2026, hosted by the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) in Nairobi.

This year's observance was held under the theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” with the call to action, “Start the Conversation,” bringing together government officials, mental health experts, religious leaders, humanitarian organizations and other stakeholders to address suicide prevention and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health.

The new handbook was developed by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Interreligious Council of Kenya and other partners.

It is expected to provide religious leaders with practical guidance on how to engage people facing mental health difficulties and suicidal thoughts, while also helping them understand when and where to refer individuals for professional support.

The urgency of strengthening suicide prevention efforts was reflected in new figures released by the Kenya Red Cross Society, which showed that thousands of people have sought mental health and psychosocial support through its toll-free hotline this year.

Kenya Red Cross Society Deputy Secretary General for Programmes Joe Mbalu said the organization’s toll-free Hotline 1199 had received 7,394 calls for mental health and psychosocial support in 2026 alone.

Of these, 634 were suicide-related crisis calls, highlighting the growing demand for timely mental health and crisis intervention services.

“In 2026 alone, our toll-free Hotline 1199 received 7,394 calls for mental health and psychosocial support. Of these, 634 were suicide-related crisis calls, all responded to and successfully averted,” Mbalu said.

The figures, he said, demonstrate the importance of ensuring that people experiencing emotional distress and suicidal crises have access to immediate support and someone they can talk to before their situations escalate.

Dr Mercy Karanja, Head of the Division of Mental Health at the Ministry of Health, described the launch of the handbook as an important step towards translating national policies and strategies on mental health and suicide prevention into practical action at the community level.

She said suicide prevention requires the involvement of different sectors and cannot be left to healthcare professionals alone.

“Suicide prevention is a shared responsibility that cannot be achieved by the health sector alone,” Dr Karanja said.

She emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between government institutions, healthcare providers, families, communities, civil society organizations and religious institutions in identifying people at risk and ensuring they receive the necessary support.

Religious leaders, stakeholders noted, play a particularly important role because of the trust and influence they have within their communities. For many people experiencing personal, family or emotional difficulties, a religious leader may be among the first people they approach for guidance and support.

The handbook is therefore expected to help faith leaders respond more effectively and safely when confronted with people experiencing suicidal thoughts, while encouraging stronger links between faith communities and professional mental health services.

Prof Frank Njenga, Chairman of Chiromo Hospital Group, described the handbook as a response to a longstanding need expressed by various stakeholders, including religious leaders.

He said the development of the handbook reflects growing recognition of the important role faith communities can play in providing psychosocial support and strengthening suicide prevention efforts at the grassroots level.

Njenga echoed the widely recognized principle that there can be no health without mental health, calling for stronger partnerships between healthcare providers, religious leaders and communities.

He said preventing suicide requires creating environments where people can speak openly about their struggles without fear of judgement, rejection or stigma.

Stakeholders at the national observance also called for a change in how society talks about suicide, warning that silence and stigma can prevent people experiencing suicidal thoughts from seeking help.

The launch of the handbook marks a significant step in Kenya's efforts to strengthen community-based approaches to suicide prevention by equipping trusted leaders with the tools to start difficult but potentially life-saving conversations.