The Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association (KCPA) has called on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to urgently incorporate professional counselling psychologists in public schools to address the growing mental health challenges and drug abuse among learners across the country.
Speaking to KNA during the Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association (KCPA) members meeting held at the ACK Conference Hall in Kericho, KCPA National Chairperson Professor Catherine Gachuta emphasised that the current use of educational psychologists to offer guidance and counselling in schools has not been effective.
She emphasised the need for TSC to replace or complement schools with professional counselling psychologists for more impactful outcomes.
Professor Gachuta, who is also a specialist psychologist in marriage and family, pointed out that learners in both primary and secondary schools are increasingly grappling with mental health challenges stemming from trauma, domestic conflict, and unstable social conditions, emphasising that these deeply rooted issues require the expertise of professional psychosocial support rather than relying solely on general guidance services.
Gachuta stressed the urgent need for the deployment of trained counselling psychologists in schools, arguing that these specialists possess the clinical expertise required to provide more effective and holistic psychosocial care to learners at both primary and secondary levels.
She explained that while educational psychologists play an important role in offering academic support, their training does not adequately prepare them to handle the complex emotional and psychological issues increasingly affecting students.
“Many teachers assigned counselling responsibilities often prioritize teaching examinable subjects. This is a trend that undermines the effectiveness of mental health support in schools, especially when addressing complex learner needs,” Gachuta said.
Beyond engaging TSC, Professor Gachuta further revealed that the association is pursuing strategic partnerships with key stakeholders such as the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) and the Kenya Red Cross Society as part of a broader initiative aimed at establishing a multi-agency framework to enhance mental health support, strengthen suicide prevention efforts, and ensure timely intervention services across the country.
Gachuta also underscored the importance of equipping community health promoters with counselling psychology skills, enabling them to serve as frontline responders to mental health challenges at the grassroots level.
To bolster long-term solutions, the Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association (KCPA) is currently collaborating with the national government and Shamili Institute to develop a comprehensive mental health and psychosocial curriculum that targets Level 3 and Level 4 qualifications.
Once approved, the curriculum will be implemented through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, offering structured training for future mental health professionals.
By Hillary Kemei and Elizabeth Amondi
