Strengthening Mental Health Awareness among Secondary School Students in Kenya

Cooperating countries: Kenya, Lesotho and Austria

Coordinating institution: Kibabii University, Benedict M. Mutua, bmmutua@kibu.ac.ke

Partner institutions: Medical University Graz, National University of Lesotho

Project duration: 1 June 2023 - 30 May 2025

Budget: EUR 30.000

Abstract:

Stronger mental health for students means they can learn better and be more likely to realize the full potential of their abilities. These positive effects not only support the individual student, but also their larger community as they enter adulthood. Currently, there are increased cases of unrest among students in Kenyan schools that could probably be linked to mental health. More often, these have resulted to violence, massive destruction of school property and low educational outcomes. In meeting the social and emotional needs of students, School Based Support Initiatives (SBSI) are critical. Yet there is limited evidence on teachers’ capacity to offer effective support to student towards strengthening capacity of teachers and students on mental health in selected secondary schools in Kenya. The project will adopt Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach and will be implemented over 24 months with eight (8) teachers, four (4) secondary school principals and students as peer mentors participating. The participants will be drawn from 4 schools, 1 school from each of the four selected Counties in the Lake Region Economic Bloc (Bungoma, Busia, Kisumu, and Kakamega) in Kenya. The objectives of the project are to: (a) conduct a baseline survey on the prevalence of mental health conditions among secondary school students; (b) develop a sensitization manual on mental health; and (c) identify the training needs and build capacity of teachers and students on mental health. The project is expected to improve staff attitude on mental health and skills to support students mental wellbeing.
 

Summary:

Strengthening Mental health awareness among secondary school students in Kenya (SMEHAS) project sought to address the growing mental health challenges faced by students in Kenyan secondary schools. The project rationale emanates from the rising incidents of student unrest in Kenya which was found to lead to violent destruction of school property, and declining academic performance. The project was implemented in four (4) secondary schools across four Counties in Kenya. The project had three objectives; i) conducting a baseline survey to assess the prevalence of mental health conditions among students, ii) develop a sensitization manual to guide mental health awareness efforts in schools, raising awareness among students about mental health issues, and iii) building the capacity of both teachers and students to effectively respond to mental health challenges. The two-year project sought to foster resilience and awareness of mental health conditions through targeted interventions engaging students, teachers, school administrators (Board of Managements) and government officials. During the project implementation, the team engaged students, teachers, school administrators and education officials through surveys. A desk review was also conducted over the initial stages of the project implementation. From the surveys and desk review, the project identified key gaps that informed the development of mental health training manual.  The project also organized two (2) workshops to build capacity of teachers and school principals on mental health challenges and a stakeholder’s knowledge sharing/ policy advocacy meeting to sensitize participants on the status of mental health conditions among secondary school students in Kenya.  Two manuscripts on mental focusing on mental health issues in Lesotho and Kenya were completed.