Mental Health Kenya Project #51656

Enhance (mental) health of 1,358 Kenyan youths

by Kitale Community Advancement Programme (KAP)

Summary

In Trans Nzoia County, Kenya, KAP will enhance the emotional and social capacities of 1,358 youths (of whom 338 intensively) facing mental health challenges, in order to enable them choose healthy behaviors, especially those concerning sexual health, alcohol/substance abuse and trauma/violence prevention and management (& COVID-19). KAP does so by providing community-based training of 'Unreached Youths' Community Resource Persons and professional counselling and (psycho-) education services.

$25,435
total goal

$2,221
remaining

72
donors

1
monthly donor

2
fundraisers

3
years

Challenge

MANY YOUTHS IN TRANS NZOIA COUNTY HAVE LOW SELF-ESTEEM, LACK OF HOPE AND INABILITY TO CHOOSE HEALTHY BEHAVIOURS, resulting in depression, suicides, school fires & participation in (political) violence. Also in serious sexuality problems (Early sex debut, high HIV risky behaviors, STIs, teenage pregnancies, early marriages, etc.), much alcohol & substance abuse, school drop-out. There are few if any structured initiatives addressing this mental health problem. 75% of Kenyans are below age 35.

Solution

KAP provides community-based training of 'Unreached Youths' Community Resource Persons and professional counselling and (psycho-) education services. Youths are helped in building self-awareness & identity, to work through their traumatic experiences whilst learning about relationships with peers, parents and society, sexual health, abuse/addiction, trauma & non-violent problem solving skills. Consequently they also learn to share their new knowledge and skills with their friends and neighbors.

Long-Term Impact

KAP will improve 1. The emotional capacity & social behaviors of 1,358 youths (of whom 338 intensively), including their: (A) improved self-esteem, hope & purpose in life, (B) enhanced socio-economic resilience & self-reliance, (C) improved health services seeking behavior & reduced (HIV/AIDS, abuse/addiction) risk behaviors, (D) increased use of non-violent conflict solving means; 2. structures & systems of response: e.g. increased access to relevant mental, social & economic support services.