# What does trauma-informed care look like in Kenyan mental health practice?

URL: https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-does-trauma-informed-care-look-like-in-kenyan-mental-health-practice
For: Clinicians | Mental health care | Reviewed by Independent clinical reviewer, Registered mental health clinician, Kenya | Last reviewed 8 November 2026

**Answer:** Trauma-informed care means recognising how trauma affects people and avoiding re-traumatisation. Kenya's 2024 GBV standard operating procedures emphasise survivor-centred care, privacy, informed choice and mental health screening. In practice: explain what will happen, ask permission, let clients control pace and disclosure, use validated screens such as the Kiswahili PC-PTSD-5 cautiously, and link to medical, legal and social support. Restraint and seclusion should be avoided except where the Mental Health Act allows.

Sources: Ministry of Health, Kenya (NASCOP): https://lvcthealth.org/ast/uploads/2024/10/2024-STANDARD-OPERATING-PROCEDURES-080824-.pdf - Frontiers in Psychiatry: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1338311/pdf - Kenya Law: https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/act/1989/10/eng@2023-12-11

## Related questions

- [Are the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 validated in Kiswahili and for Kenyan populations?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/are-the-phq-9-and-gad-7-validated-in-kiswahili-and-for-kenyan-populations)
- [Can trained lay or non-specialist workers deliver psychological interventions in Kenya?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/can-trained-lay-or-non-specialist-workers-deliver-psychological-interventions-in-kenya)
- [How can therapy be culturally adapted for clients in Kenya?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/how-can-therapy-be-culturally-adapted-for-clients-in-kenya)

---

**About Tymira Health:** Tymira Health is a healthcare technology company based in Nairobi, Kenya. It builds Tymira360, a practice management and EHR platform for mental health, physiotherapy and dental providers, clinics, hospitals, NGOs and insurers across Africa.

- Book a demo: https://tymirahealth.com/demo
- Contact: https://tymirahealth.com/contact (info@tymirahealth.com)
- All resources: https://tymirahealth.com/resources/all