New Initiative Promotes Mental Wellness in Schools

The Kenyan government, in partnership with child‑welfare and non‑governmental organizations, has launched a new psychosocial support programme targeting more than 3,000 learners in Kisumu West. The initiative, rolled out in 15 schools (10 secondary and 5 primary), provides counselling sessions to help students manage stress, anxiety, and the pressure of national exams.
This school‑based campaign is part of a broader effort by the State Department for Children Services to build resilience among young learners. According to Principal Secretary Carren Ageng’o, the goal is not just to offer temporary counselling, but to equip learners with life skills … to manage emotions, navigate personal challenges, and thrive both academically and personally.
In another important development, experts are pushing for more formal mental‑health support within the national education system. The Kenya Counselling & Psychological Association (KCPA) is calling for the deployment of qualified counselling psychologists to school settings, arguing that current staff (often educational guidance counsellors) lack the specialized training to address increasingly complex mental‑health issues among learners.
At the same time, a promising pilot programme called Rise & Rest is being introduced in schools. Presented at the 2nd National Mental Health Conference, this school‑based sound‑therapy programme uses brainwave entrainment, breathing exercises, and peer-led psychosocial support to help students regulate stress, improve concentration, and foster emotional well‑being.