County focus schools, universities, and informal settlements
Mental Health for the Urban Youth
Building resilient systems for mental wellbeing through schools, universities, and
informal settlementsAffordable, decentralized oxygen access for frontline health facilities in Kenya
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
Building resilient minds across Nairobi's schools and communities
In partnership with citiesRISE, CPHD implemented an initiative to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people in Nairobi County. This multi-sectoral effort integrated mental health literacy, peer support, access to care, and safe spaces across schools, universities, and informal settlements.
By strengthening community-based support structures and aligning with national priorities, the program created a lasting ecosystem of care that empowered youth, reduced stigma, and increased access to appropriate mental health services.
THE CHALLANGE
A crisis hidden in plain sight
Despite growing need, mental health remains one of the most under-resourced and stigmatized areas of care in Kenya — especially for adolescents and young adults.
Nairobi
3 sectors
Health, education, and community working together for the first time
Limited access to providers
Severe shortage of trained mental health professionals and psychosocial support in schools and communities.
Low mental health literacy
Students, teachers, and caregivers lack understanding of mental health, its signs, and how to seek help.
Social stigma
Deeply embedded stigma prevents young people from seeking help and engaging with support services
Fragmented service delivery
Little integration across health, education, and community sectors leaves young people without a coherent pathway to care.
OUR APPROACH
A multi-sectoral ecosystem of care
Four complementary interventions working together across schools, universities, informal settlements, and the health workforce.
Mental Health Literacy in Schools
Using the evidence-based Teen Mental Health model, CPHD worked with the Ministry of Education to train teachers on adolescent mental health, introduce literacy content into secondary schools, and provide printed materials and sessions to reduce stigma.
Digital Platforms in Universities
In collaboration with Amazing Minds Africa, CPHD promoted 7 Cups an online therapy and peer support platform across Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi, and Daystar University, through awareness campaigns, peer groups, and referral pathways.
Safe Spaces in Informal Settlements
With community partners in Mukuru, Reuben, and Nzumari-Africa, the project established physical safe spaces with renovations and equipment, offering psychosocial support, peer-led activities, child therapy, trauma care, and youth-led advocacy.
WHO EQUIP Lay Worker Training
CPHD implemented the WHO EQUIP platform for training lay providers in trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT) for children, delivered by partners ACE and Chombalelo, validating non-specialist competency in structured psychosocial care.
COMMUNITY REACH
Safe spaces in three communities
Dedicated safe spaces where youth access psychosocial support, trauma care, and peer-led mental health activities — with physical renovations to make spaces functional and welcoming.
MUKURU
Mukuru Promotional Centre
- Psychosocial support access
- Peer-led mental health activities
- Child therapy and trauma care
- Youth leadership development
- Physical renovations & equipment
REUBEN
Reuben FM
- Psychosocial support access
- Peer-led mental health activities
- Child therapy and trauma care
- Youth leadership development
- Physical renovations & equipment
NZUMARI
Nzumari-Africa
- Psychosocial support access
- Peer-led mental health activities
- Child therapy and trauma care
- Local leadership building
- Physical renovations & equipment
KEY RESULTS
A lasting ecosystem of care
From classrooms to communities, the programme built structures and skills that outlast any single intervention.
- Mental health literacy introduced through trained teachers across secondary schools in Nairobi
- 7 Cups and university-based peer programs reached students at Kenyatta, UoN, and Daystar
- Safe spaces established or enhanced in Mukuru, Reuben, and Nzumari, serving hundreds of youth
- Lay providers trained and assessed in trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy for children
- Stronger youth mental health leadership and peer networks built across Nairobi County
- Ministries and education stakeholders engaged in shaping a youth-centred mental health policy agenda
Mental health literacy in schools
Digital platforms in universities
Safe spaces in informal settlements
Lay worker training (WHO EQUIP)
WHY IT MATTERS
Oxygen therapy is not optional; it is essential and life saving. By decentralizing oxygen access and embedding both infrastructure and skills at the facility level, CPHD is making it possible for primary hospitals to deliver lifesaving care without relying on distant referral centers or expensive logistics chains. This initiative demonstrates that with the right technology and model, even small facilities can become oxygen-ready and self-reliant and that larger facilities can safely transition to high-capacity LOX systems where appropriate.
COLLABORATION
Built with the right
partners
This programme worked because it brought together the right actors government, academia, community, and digital.