Mental Health Services Accessibility and Utilization Among Homeless People in Nairobi's Slums,: A Comparative Study

Homelessness in Nairobi's slums is a significant social issue that affects mental health services accessibility and utilization. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of homeless individuals to gather data on their experiences with mental health services. Findings indicate that only 35% of homeless participants had ever accessed any form of mental health support, highlighting the critical need for improved service accessibility and utilization rates among this marginalized population. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve access to and utilization of mental health services by homeless individuals in Nairobi’s slums. Policy recommendations include expanding outreach efforts, improving communication channels between homeless shelters and mental health providers, and integrating mental health support into emergency response systems.