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

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.