Government Launches Mental Wellness Programs in Schools

The Kenyan government has stepped up its effort to support youth mental health by launching new school-based wellness initiatives, aligned with its Mental Health Action Plan (2021–2025). These interventions aim to build mental-health literacy among students, reduce stigma, and link learners to care.
One flagship project highlighted at the recent 2nd National Mental Health Conference involves training teachers to deliver a curriculum-based mental health program. According to the Kenya Psychiatric Association and AMPATH, more than 48 schools are already implementing modules that cover stigma, mental disorders, and how to offer peer support.The approach also strengthens referral pathways to care; in the first phase, over 150 students received one-on-one counselling and more than 800 participated in group therapy. In addition to the teacher-led curriculum, the Ministry of Health plans to scale up school wellness clubs through partnerships with youth-led organizations. Mental 360, a well-known youth mental health nonprofit, is expanding its Boma Wellness Clubs to provide safe peer-led spaces for adolescent support and psychological first aid, especially in underserved schools.- Experts believe the move could be transformative for adolescent mental health in Kenya. By combining promotion, prevention, and early intervention, the government’s strategy aligns with its national health goals while ensuring that more students have timely access to psychosocial support — a critical step toward building resilient, mentally healthy communities.