Breaking the Silence: Mental Health Support for Girls in Kenya’s Schools and Colleges

In Kenya, girls and young women face a variety of mental health challenges that often go unspoken — yet they shape their academic journeys and future opportunities in profound ways. At Kianda Foundation, we are committed to not only recognizing these struggles but actively working to transform learning environments into places of emotional safety and support.

The Unique Mental Health Challenges Facing Girls and Young Women

From adolescence through young adulthood, many girls in Kenya are affected by challenges such as gender-based violence, early and unintended pregnancies, menstrual health stigma, and restrictive cultural expectations around gender roles. These stressors often escalate during their time in school or college, making it difficult for them to focus, engage, and thrive.

A 2022 study by the Kenya National Adolescent Mental Health Survey (NAMHS) found that issues like gender-based violence, early pregnancy, and social stigma significantly contribute to mental health difficulties among adolescent girls.

A study conducted at Pwani University by Omar et al. (2025) found that

nearly 31% of students reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, or psychosis — with young women aged 25–29 being more than twice as likely to experience these conditions compared to their younger peers.

Another 2023 study published in Nature Scientific Reports showed that financial stress, academic pressure, and gendered expectations were leading contributors to poor mental health in Kenyan universities, with female students reporting higher stress levels than their male counterparts. These findings underscore the urgent need for mental health support for girls in Kenya in higher education institutions.

What Are Safe Spaces — and Why Do They Matter?

Safe spaces are more than just physical rooms. They are trust-based environments where girls and young women feel respected, supported, and truly heard. In schools and colleges, this includes access to trained counselors, peer support groups, and structured mental wellness programs.

Research by UNICEF and UNESCO shows that these environments can:

1. Reduce absenteeism

2. Improve academic performance

3. Strengthen emotional resilience

Girls and young women who have access to safe spaces and mental health support are better equipped to navigate academic pressures and societal challenges — and to pursue their dreams with confidence.

How Kianda Foundation Supports Mental Wellness in Schools and Colleges

At Kianda Foundation, we believe that mental health is essential to quality education. That’s why we integrate emotional and psychological support into all our education programs — from primary and secondary schools to our higher learning institutions.

Our approach includes:

• Training teachers and peer mentors to identify mental health warning signs and provide first-line support

• Hosting life skills workshops focused on stress management, conflict resolution, and building self-esteem

• Offering mentoring programs in our colleges, where young women are paired with trained mentors and role models

• Facilitating girls’ clubs and peer support groups that offer safe, structured environments to share and learn

These interventions ensure that girls and young women — especially those in underserved communities — gain the emotional tools they need to stay in school and grow as confident, resilient leaders.

The Impact of Mental Health Support for Girls in Kenya on Education

When girls and young women are supported emotionally, the results are tangible. Many report feeling more focused in class, better able to handle stress, and more determined to achieve their goals.

Research shows that integrating mental health programs in schools can lead to better academic outcomes, including improved attendance, reduced dropout rates, and increased student resilience. According to global studies by UNICEF and other organizations, school-based mental health support plays a crucial role in helping students—especially girls—stay in school and thrive.

This is especially critical for girls who may be vulnerable to early marriage, teenage pregnancy, or cultural pressures to leave school. Mental wellness is not a luxury. It is a vital ingredient in the journey toward educational equity and empowerment.

How You Can Help Break the Silence

Mental health in schools and colleges is a shared responsibility. Whether you're a parent, teacher, policymaker, or concerned community member, here are a few ways you can help:

• Open up space for honest conversations about mental health

• Advocate for more counseling and mentorship programs in schools and higher education

• Support teacher training on student mental wellness

• Champion organizations that place girls' and young women’s well-being at the center of education

At Kianda Foundation, we are proud to create environments where young women don’t just survive — they thrive. With your support, we can continue to break the silence around mental health and build a generation of strong, empowered learners.

Interested in learning more about our mental wellness initiatives?

Contact us or follow us on social media to see the impact of our programs in action.