Let’s Talk Mental Health; High Schoolers' Edition

It was deeply fulfilling to learn from and with our vibrant youth community during our latest CWE-TECH virtual session on mental health and well-being, themed “Let’s Talk Mental Health.” Held just before schools reopen for the final term, the session was both timely and transformative.

We engaged 45 young people from nine counties across Kenya, representing both rural and urban communities, and including both boys and girls. Their active participation and openness highlighted just how critical safe spaces are for youth to speak up and support one another around mental health.

Our dedicated CWE-TECH team; Harriet Waithira, Ivy Njoki, and Beatrice Polah led the session with professionalism and compassion, reflecting the impact of our ongoing collaboration with Tafara Wellness Initiative, which has been equipping our staff with foundational counseling and wellness skills. It is incredibly rewarding to see this partnership bearing fruit, as the knowledge our team has gained is now directly benefiting our Binti Shupavu scholars and other underserved children across Kenya.

One of the most touching moments came from villages where three to four students gathered around a single phone just to participate. Their eagerness to learn, even under limited circumstances, was truly inspiring. The creatively illustrated slides and cartoon-based materials sparked excitement and curiosity, making the session engaging and accessible for all.

The discussion was highly interactive, with youth candidly sharing their experiences, reflections, and questions around mental health. Their contributions turned the session into a powerful, peer-driven learning space.

What We Learned:

* Youth crave safe, judgment-free spaces where they can talk about their emotional and mental well-being.

* Creativity and visual tools significantly enhance engagement and retention of knowledge.

* There is a growing hunger for peer support, as youth want to learn with and from one another.

What’s Next:

Building on the momentum of this session, the young participants requested three additional sessions during the school holidays which is a clear sign of both interest and need. Even more exciting, several of the youth volunteered to become peer mentors for future sessions.

In response, we will:

* Conduct a pre-training workshop for four peer mentors, preparing them to co-facilitate and support their fellow learners.

* Plan and deliver three more virtual sessions during the December 2025 holiday period, ensuring ongoing engagement, learning, and community-building.

Finally, by tapping into digital technologies such as through phones and computers, we're making mental health education accessible to youth across Kenya, empowering them with knowledge and support regardless of their location or resources.This experience reaffirmed that when we invest in young people’s well-being, we plant seeds of resilience, leadership, and transformation.

We extend heartfelt thanks to Tafara Wellness Initiative and World Pulse for walking this journey with us. Your partnership is helping us create safe, inclusive, and empowering spaces where youth can thrive; mentally, emotionally, and socially.

“When knowledge is shared, lives are transformed. By equipping our staff and scholars with mental health skills, we are building resilient communities; one conversation at a time.” ~Eunice Owino