An Analysis of the Use of Mass Media during Communication Campaigns for Mental Health Held in Nairobi County

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to analyse the use of mass media in communication campaigns for mental health held in Nairobi County in Kenya. Purposive sampling technique was used to select Nairobi County and the years when data from communication campaigns for mental health was collected. Data was collected and analysed using content analysis. The study was guided by the health belief model and symbolic interactionism. The findings were that communication campaigns for mental health conducted in Nairobi County used only newsletters and leaflets. They did not use radio, television or even newspapers to publicise the World Mental Health Day themes of each year. It was also found that the messages conveyed lacked very important components and they were inadequate. The study concludes that these communication campaigns conducted annually since 1992 when marking the World Mental Health Day have not used mass media effectively to have a significant impact in enhancing knowledge of mental health among the people.