Mental health champions walk sparks hope and awareness

A wave of voices rose in unison through the streets of Nairobi, united by a single message life matters.

Survivors, students, professionals, and even police officers walked side by side, their steps echoing a call for empathy, awareness, and healing in the face of Kenya’s mental health crisis.

The walk, held on September 27, 2025, was organised by the Mental Health Champion Initiative, founded by Dr. Margaret Kagwe.

Starting at Moi Avenue Primary School, participants wound their way through Moi Avenue, Bomb Blast, Haile Selassie, Upper Hill, Daystar, and NPC before returning to the school, where the day’s speeches had been delivered.

Coming Together for Change

Professor Charles Kimamo, who graced the occasion, praised the gathering for attending despite the weekend demands.

“I’m so impressed all of you are here at this time. It shows the kind of people that this nation has, that when there is a problem, we all come together and join hands to try to tackle it.

” he said.

He pointed to recent tragedies, such as the death of a University of Nairobi medical student, as evidence that even high achievers are not immune.

“Suicide is usually a cry for help. Sometimes People want to be discovered and rescued. But when nobody seems to care, that’s when a cry for help can turn into true suicide, which is very, very sad,” he added.

Kimamo noted that Kenya ranks 60th in global suicide rates, crediting community-driven initiatives like Kagwe’s for helping to address the crisis.

Building Safe Spaces Through Training

Kagwe has championed mental wellness training across Kenya, growing a movement that equips citizens to listen, support, and respond to those struggling with mental health.

Through its 10-week training program, known as cohorts, the initiative has graduated more than 15 groups of volunteers.

These champions are now creating safe spaces in homes, schools, workplaces and communities.

She reminded participants of the risks of leaving mental health struggles untreated.

“Personal struggles, family struggles and institutional struggles are likely to result in increased interpersonal conflicts and general unhappiness. These are risk factors in suicide ideation, suicide attempts, and completed suicide,” Kagwe said.

“A happy person wills to live, not to end life. Our country needs to take drastic measures in order to arrest the situation and give its citizens a reason to love life. We need mental health champions in every home, every institution and every organisation in order to change this worrisome trajectory.”

A Global and Local Crisis

Her words echoed sobering global realities. Nearly 980 million people live with mental health or substance use disorders, according to Our World in Data (2018).

Anxiety affects about 284 million people worldwide, while depression remains the leading cause of disability and is projected to become the top global burden of disease by 2030.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 720,000 people die by suicide annually, making it the third leading cause of death among 15- to 29-year-olds.

Kenya’s own challenges remain daunting. Between April and July 2021, the Ministry of Health reported at least 483 suicides the highest number ever recorded in such a short period.

WHO data from 2019 puts Kenya’s suicide rate at 11 per 100,000 people, while in 2017 the country ranked fifth in Africa for depression rates.

A community survey in Western Kenya found that 45.5 per cent of adults had experienced at least one mental health condition in their lifetime.

Yet, Kenya’s 2021 Mental Health Investment Case revealed that 75 per cent of those in need cannot access services.

Stories of Transformation

Among the participants was Ann Migwi, a graduate of cohort four who has since been involved in 12 more cohorts.

She said the initiative has transformed her life and many others, describing the walk as one of the most meaningful moments in their journey.

“The event is about creating awareness that life matters. Some people may feel they cannot find someone to listen, but speaking out is the first step to getting help,” she said.

Migwi reflected on the presence of police officers at the walk.

“Today, we even got to walk with police officers. Last year, during Gen Z protests, they were chasing us, but today they are protecting us. Same people, different situations. That stood out for me. It shows we can change and that we should never judge people without knowing what they are going through.”

She added that walking itself supports healing, strengthening both mind and body, while offering an opportunity to connect with others from different cohorts.

“Even for us, walking works on our minds and our bodies. It helps us connect with others from different cohorts. You can’t help someone until you yourself are okay. We normally say it’s okay not to be okay, but you must also reach out,” she said.

Champions in the Workplace and Beyond

For Esther Gitau, who joined cohort 13 about two years ago, the impact of the initiative extends to her home and workplace.

“In my workplace, I am the one who champions wellness. People are now able to speak up and reach out for help because they know there is a safe space,” she said.

Yet, she acknowledged that stigma remains. Some people, she noted, record colleagues having a breakdown instead of helping.

She emphasised the importance of replacing misinformation with awareness, stressing that mental illness is neither a curse nor witchcraft but a treatable condition.

Policy Shifts and Signs of Progress
Slow but significant steps are being taken at the national level.

In July 2020, a presidential task force recommended declaring Kenya’s mental health crisis a national emergency.

In January 2025, the High Court ruled that criminalising attempted suicide was unconstitutional, a landmark decision welcomed by advocates as a step toward treating suicide as a health matter rather than a crime.

And as the walk drew to a close, the sound of a police band playing “It’s okay not to be okay” echoed through the streets, capturing the spirit of the day.

Kagwe ended with a reminder that suicide prevention begins with empathy and human connection.

“Voices of hope matter. Your life is great. Suicide prevention is about giving people a reason to live, and that begins with all of us at home, in schools, and in our institutions.”