Addressing Youth Mental Health in Uasin Gishu: Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital’s School Mental Health Program ‎

‎Youth and adolescent mental health is becoming an urgent concern in Kenya, with over 40% of young people experiencing mental health challenges. 

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‎Students in particular face mounting pressures from academic demands, social expectations, economic difficulties and more recently sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) — often intensified by stigma and limited access to mental health services.

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‎To respond to this growing need, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), through the AMPATH-led Afya ya Akili Mashinani (AYAM) program, partnered with the Uasin Gishu County Department of Health, the Ministry of Education, and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to launch the School Mental Health Project in Uasin Gishu County.

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‎The initiative seeks to strengthen mental health prevention, early identification, and care systems within schools and their surrounding communities. 

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‎Using a phased implementation model, the project emphasizes; adapting mental health curriculum, training teachers, sensitizing students and establishing clear referral pathways.

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‎At the core of this effort is the School Mental Health Curriculum, covering essential topics such as mental health literacy, stigma reduction, emotional well-being, substance use prevention, as well as guidance on where to seek help if overwhelmed.

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‎Developed through multi-stakeholder collaboration, the curriculum was carefully reviewed to ensure cultural relevance, educational alignment, and effectiveness within the Kenyan context.

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‎Since its launch, the project has achieved significant milestones. Sensitization activities have been carried out in 48 schools, reaching 24,300 students, 1,486 teachers, 8,126 parents and caregivers and 18,093 youth in the wider community.

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‎These efforts have increased awareness and understanding of mental health, thus promoting early intervention among learners, families, and educators.

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‎The initiative has shown that integrating mental health into the education system is both practical and sustainable with the key lessons being the importance of regular follow-up, culturally appropriate approaches, and inter-sectoral collaborations.

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‎MTRH remains committed to advancing mental health among the youth in Kenya, and working toward a future where every student learns in a supportive, healthy environment.