Nairobi,Kenya: Adolescent and young people’s mental health is an issue that has been front and centre lately. For many young individuals, this period can be both exhilarating and overwhelming, especially when compounded with adverse life events and societal pressures, which, if not checked, can lead to profound mental health challenges.
Recognising the need to address the growing concern of adolescent and young people’s mental health, LVCT Health is taking a significant step by hosting the 1st Adolescent Mental Health Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.
With the shared goal of ‘Improving Adolescent and Youth Mental Health’, this Summit is a testament to the power of collaboration. In partnership with Grassroot Soccer and the Department of Health, Nairobi County, and Mombasa County, it serves as a platform for dialogue, innovation, and advocacy for policy review and implementation.
The one-day event will bring together over 300 delegates from more than 10 countries, including policymakers and civil society actors.
“We just want to make sure that everybody understands what mental health among this cohort is all about,” says Robert Kimathi, Youth Program Manager, LVCT Health, adding that the forum will provide an opportunity for young people to share their experiences and challenges with mental health alongside insights from youth advocates and mental health experts.
The event will be a dynamic platform, featuring keynote speakers from distinguished guests and experts, the launch of the 1st Adolescent Mental Health Summit, engaging panel discussions, insightful exhibitions, and practical demonstrations. Moreover, participants will have the opportunity to review existing policies and contribute recommendations for improvements.
“We are delighted to host this Summit, which reflects LVCT Health and collaborative partners’ commitment towards confronting mental health challenges among young people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where resources for mental health services are scarce, amplifying the burden on already vulnerable youth,” says Michelle Olouch, Program Officer, Policy, Advocacy and Rights at LVCT Health.
The collaborative nature of this event is a large priority for the organisers, states Kimathi, “This is the first such Summit to be held in Kenya, and we are thrilled with the response we have already received. We hope for a positive outcome of the event, which will set a precedent for future collaborations and annual events and ultimately improve mental wellness and resilience among adolescents and young people.” Together, we aim to empower and promote access to mental health services to individuals, families and vulnerable and at-risk populations as outlined in our new strategic plan.
For more information on the Summit, visit https://adolescentmentalhealthsummit.org/project.html.