Newspaper Portrayal on Mental Health Issues in Kenya during Covid-19 pandemic.

Abstract

This study investigates the portrayal of mental health issues in Kenyan newspapers during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically analyzing content from the Daily Nation and The Standard between March 2020 and December 2022. Mental health concerns were exacerbated during this period due to heightened psychological distress caused by social isolation, economic uncertainties, and public health fears. The research aims to understand how mental health issues were framed in these newspapers, identifying key topics and sources used in their coverage. Using a quantitative content analysis approach, 62 articles were selected for analysis. The study explores the types of mental health issues reported, the framing techniques employed by journalists, and how these narratives aligned with or diverged from mental health awareness campaigns and government policies. The findings highlight the media’s role in shaping public perceptions and mental health policies, offering insights into the media’s development communication function during public health crises. This research contributes to the limited body of literature on media framing of mental health in Kenya, particularly during significant global events like the COVID-19 pandemic. The results also provide valuable recommendations for policymakers and media practitioners on improving mental health reporting, with an emphasis on reducing stigma and promoting mental health as a public health priority.