Kenya-based organisation MEWA released a report on mental health among young people who use drugs. The organisation spoke to 482 people (15-24 years old) about their drug use, mental health and needs for services.
The findings of this study suggest that youth who use drugs would benefit immensely from community-based harm reduction services. Around 17% of the respondents reported specific mental health needs. Harm reduction services for youth can be offered via (existing) drop-in-centres, emergency shelters and mobile outreach programmes and can be tailored to include mental health interventions. MEWA currently uses the assessment results to pilot services for youth in Mombasa, Kenya.
Read the full report about the mental health needs of young people who use drugs in Mombasa, Kenya.
This assessment is part of the Young, Wild and... Free? project. Please visit our project webpage for more information.