In collaboration with RockPoint Climbing Kenya, https://rockpointclimbing.com, the Mental Health and Resilience Training Through Rock Climbing project will target at least 120 young people aged 16–24 who are undergoing treatment for depression, anxiety, or substance use challenges. Participants will engage in a six week program comprising of weekly guided rock climbing sessions designed to strengthen confidence, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and adaptive coping in a safe and supportive setting. The program will complement ongoing therapy by translating psychosocial skills into real-world experiences, using climbing as a metaphor for managing fear, uncertainty, and personal limits. Participants’ resilience and wellbeing will be assessed at baseline and endline, alongside qualitative reflections, to understand how experiential learning can enhance mental health outcomes for young people.

Orphaned and vulnerable children in rural Kenya often face stress and anxiety because of losing parents and challenging living conditions. This can make it hard for them to concentrate and perform well in school. In 2026, we will explore how simple therapy techniques, called cognitive restructuring, can reduce anxiety and improve learning. We will also consider how a child’s home and community environment affects the therapy’s success. By combining emotional support with knowledge of where and how children live, this study aims to create more effective ways to help vulnerable children thrive academically and gain confidence for the future.

The Grassroots Mental Health Awareness and Empowerment Program aims to equip local Community Health Promoters and youth groups in Busia, Kilifi, and Siaya counties with the skills and knowledge to address mental health challenges in their communities. Through hands-on training, interactive youth sessions, and community campaigns, the program will raise awareness about mental health, reduce stigma, and promote healthier behaviors. By empowering trusted local actors and engaging young people directly, the initiative ensures that support reaches those who need it most, helping communities become more informed, resilient, and ready to seek help when mental health issues arise.

Where an orphaned or vulnerable child lives in Kenya can shape their chances of coping with loss, staying in school, and accessing support. This study maps where child vulnerability is highest, showing that poverty, limited services, and social stigma cluster in specific counties—creating clear hotspots where children are most at risk. These findings help leaders and organizations see where support is urgently needed and why focusing resources in the right locations can change outcomes for thousands of children.

Most people learn about mental health from the radio, TV, newspapers, and social media. This study shows that media coverage in Kenya has raised awareness but sometimes spreads misinformation, harmful language, and stigma, which discourages people from seeking help. When journalists work with mental health experts and share accurate, respectful stories, the media improves public understanding, reduces stigma, and encourages early support.

Losing a parent is one of the hardest experiences a child can face, yet for many orphaned children in Kenya, grief does not fade with time—it becomes overwhelming. This study looked at children aged 10–15 years in public primary schools in Siaya County to understand how many are struggling with intense, prolonged grief and what makes some children more vulnerable than others. The findings show that a large number of orphaned children experience grief levels serious enough to affect their emotional wellbeing and daily functioning. Children with many siblings, those separated from their siblings, and those who were very close to their mothers before death were especially affected. These findings highlight the urgent need to recognize grief in children early and provide targeted support in schools and communities, so that loss does not quietly turn into long-term emotional suffering.

Substance abuse is a growing challenge in many rural communities, but stigma and lack of coordination often stop people from getting help. This six-month pilot in rural Kenya brought together local champions people with lived experience, health promoters, chiefs, religious leaders, youth representatives, and county health officers to work as a team. Together, they referred individuals for counseling, reduced stigma, and supported follow-up care. The results were promising: nearly seven out of ten people referred attended counseling, stigma dropped by a third, and more people were willing to seek help. The study shows that when communities and institutions work together with trust and clear systems, recovery becomes more possible and sustainable.

Losing a parent is devastating, and many orphaned children in Kenya carry deep, lasting grief that affects their daily lives. This study tested a shorter, school-based grief therapy program and found it helped children significantly reduce their grief week by week. The therapy worked just as well in a group setting at school, making support more accessible and practical. The findings show that with the right guidance, even vulnerable children can begin to heal, regain focus, and thrive despite their loss.

Many adolescents in Kenya grow up facing significant deprivation, including lack of safe drinking water and proper sanitation. Research suggests that these conditions, a form of child neglect, can increase the likelihood of developing conduct problems, which may later manifest as delinquent or criminal behavior. Analysis of national health and crime data shows that regions with higher deprivation tend to report more crimes, indicating a Read More between childhood poverty and adolescent behavior. While poverty alone does not determine a child’s future, providing access to basic needs and supportive care can reduce risks, helping young people develop self-control, social skills, and positive coping strategies. Addressing child poverty is therefore not just a matter of equity—it is a crucial step toward safer, healthier communities.

In Siaya County, Kenya, orphaned children often face the loss of a parent, but this study shows that the traditional Luo burial rituals do not increase their risk of deep, complicated grief. Children in the study appeared to adapt well to the structured mourning practices, suggesting that these cultural traditions may actually support emotional adjustment. The findings highlight the importance of respecting and understanding local customs in grief counseling, showing that culturally aware approaches can help children process loss without added trauma.