Finding Mental Health Support

How to access counseling, therapy, and emotional support as a GBV survivor in Kenya.

Why mental health support matters

Types of support available

How to access support in Kenya

Lesson Outline

Lesson outline

Step 1

Why mental health support matters

Step 2

Types of support available

Step 3

How to access support in Kenya

Step 4

What to do if the first referral does not feel right

Section 1

Why mental health support matters

Trauma from GBV affects your body, thoughts, sleep, and relationships — not just your emotions.
Getting support early reduces the risk of longer-term PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
You do not need to have a mental health crisis to benefit from counseling — regular support builds resilience.
Your wellbeing is not separate from your safety — both need attention at the same time.

Section 2

Individual counseling — one-on-one sessions with a trained trauma counselor, paced by you.
Support groups — peer-led or facilitated groups that reduce isolation and normalise your experience.
Crisis counseling — immediate support via phone when distress is acute, available 24/7 via hotlines.
Psychiatric care — for serious conditions where medication alongside therapy may be needed; access through a referral from a health facility.

Section 3

Call the GBV hotline 1195 — counselors can guide you to services near you.
Ask at any public health facility for a referral to psychosocial support — this is part of standard GBV care.
NGOs including LVCT Health, Wangu Kanja Foundation, and FIDA Kenya offer low-cost or free counseling.
Your Usalama Voice coordinator can refer you to verified counseling services in your county.

Section 4

It is normal to not connect with the first counselor — you can ask for a different provider.
If you stopped going because it felt unhelpful, tell your coordinator — barriers can often be addressed.
Online and phone-based sessions are available if in-person feels unsafe or inaccessible.
Recovery is not linear — setbacks are part of the process, not evidence that support is not working.

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