- The pressures to excel academically, financial stress, family expectations, and the lack of adequate mental health resources contribute to an overwhelming sense of despair for many. For some, the burden becomes too much, leading to tragic outcomes.
In recent years, the mental health crisis among Kenya’s college and university students has reached alarming levels. Depression, anxiety, and suicide have become an unfortunate reality for many young people navigating the pressures of academic life.
As institutions of higher learning report increasing cases of students taking their own lives, the issue of mental health, long stigmatized in Kenya, can no longer be ignored.
Behind the statistics are stories of students silently struggling. The pressures to excel academically, financial stress, family expectations, and the lack of adequate mental health resources contribute to an overwhelming sense of despair for many. For some, the burden becomes too much, leading to tragic outcomes.
Despite the rising cases, mental health support systems within universities remain inadequate. Counselling centres are often understaffed, and there is little to no structured mental health awareness. Students are left to struggle alone, with few turning to professional help due to the fear of being labeled “weak” or “crazy.”
Mental health advocates call for urgent reforms in Kenya’s higher education system. They argue for better mental health services, more funding for counselling programs, and a national conversation to destigmatize mental illness. Additionally, awareness campaigns aimed at normalizing mental health discussions in families and communities could play a critical role in addressing this crisis.
The rising rates of suicide and depression among young Kenyans signal a crisis that demands immediate action. As the nation continues to lose bright young minds to mental health struggles, it is clear that now, more than ever, something must be done to support students and break the silence around mental illness.
