Kenyan Culture

and Mental Health

Angel was born in Kenya and relocated to the United States at the age of 12, drawing much of her cultural identity from her upbringing in Kenya, as well as from her parents and her grandparents in the countryside. Despite her familial background, pursuing a career in mental health was unexpected for Angel, as mental health awareness is relatively low in her community. Conversations about depression with her sisters often clash with her parents' belief that airing personal problems to therapists is unwise and unreliable, leading to a reluctance to discuss such issues openly. Angel stresses the importance of acknowledging that mental health concerns are not limited to those facing poverty or unemployment in Kenya. She emphasizes that discussing mental health should not be stigmatized or viewed as taboo, regardless of one's background or circumstances.