New Program Targets Adolescent Mental Wellness

Kenya has stepped up its focus on youth mental health with the launch of Rise & Rest, a school‑based sound therapy program aimed at improving emotional regulation and well‑being among adolescents. The initiative was introduced during the 2nd National Mental Health Conference (8–10 October 2025) and is grounded in a model combining brainwave entrainment, breathwork, journaling, music, and peer-led psychosocial support.
Rise & Rest was piloted in both public and special boarding schools, involving thousands of students and trained facilitators—including school health workers and mental health ambassadors. Early feedback has been positive: about 70% of participants reported improved emotional wellness, 65% felt more focused in class, and 54% said their sleep quality improved. According to its designers, the approach is culturally relevant, cost-effective, and can be scaled across the country.
In parallel, LVCT Health convened the 2nd Child & Adolescent Mental Health Summit in Mombasa (11 September 2025), under the theme Investing in Young Minds. At the summit, partners—including sports groups like Grassroot Soccer—showcased the MindSKILLZ program, which uses sport-based, youth-led interventions to build resilience, reduce depression, and teach coping skills. According to LVCT, MindSKILLZ has reached over 11,000 adolescents, with reported declines in clinical depression of nearly 47% among participants.
Experts argue that these initiatives mark a turning point in Kenya’s response to adolescent mental health. By embedding wellness tools in schools and community settings, the programs aim to prevent mental health issues before they escalate into more serious conditions. Stakeholders at the summit called for further investment and integration of youth mental‑wellness programs into school curricula, training for educators, and the expansion of peer‑support networks—efforts they say are vital for giving Kenya’s young generation a stronger foundation for mental well‑being.