Kisumu: A major mental health awareness expo is underway in Kisumu as healthcare professionals, county officials, trainers, and fitness advocates intensify calls for greater awareness, early screening, and community support to address the growing burden of mental health disorders.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Kisumu Mental Wellness Walk and Expo, organised by Go Beyond Limited under its Walk and Talk programme, kicked off Friday at Lake Basin Mall and will run until Sunday. The three-day event has brought together mental health practitioners, counselors, fitness groups, universities, students, and wellness organisations for exhibitions, free screening sessions, panel discussions, fitness activities, and community wellness walks aimed at normalising conversations around mental health.
Go Beyond Limited Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Damaris Ndira said the initiative was created to provide a platform where members of the public can access mental health information, interact with experts, and learn about available wellness services. Ndira said the exhibition section hosts organisations and businesses offering various wellness-related services and products, including counseling, stress management, and relaxation therapies.
Ndira highlighted that the expo also features plenary sessions and panel discussions bringing together mental health experts and institutional leaders to discuss the state of mental wellness and possible interventions. ‘We want people to come, interact, network, and exchange knowledge so that we can increase awareness on the importance of promoting positive mental health and wellness,’ she said.
Ndira mentioned that the event has attracted participants from Kisumu and neighbouring counties, including Kakamega, Kisii, and Busia, especially students and professionals in the medical field. She added that organisers are targeting to make the event an annual international mental wellness forum.
Kisumu County Mental Health Coordinator Raphael Wambura noted that mental health challenges continue to affect people silently across all age groups, including students, parents, and the elderly. Wambura observed that students are dealing with academic and social pressures, parents are burdened by daily responsibilities, and many elderly people struggle with loneliness and isolation.
Wambura revealed that Kisumu County has established wellness centres in all the 35 wards to strengthen screening and management of non-communicable diseases, including mental health disorders. He said the centres are not only meant for sick people but also for healthy residents seeking routine screening and wellness checks.
Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Kisumu Campus Deputy Principal Andrew Malit said mental health disorders are becoming increasingly common within healthcare settings, with many patients presenting both physical and psychological complications. Malit noted that many hospitalised patients often experience mental health complications alongside physical illnesses, making psychiatric care an important component of treatment.
Malit further revealed that beginning this semester, all KMTC certificate and diploma students across different courses will undergo mental health training regardless of their specialisation. He emphasised the need for preventive mental healthcare at community level, saying awareness campaigns such as wellness walks help reduce stigma and encourage people to seek support early.
Fit Explorers Public Relations Officer Valbe Tadera underscored the role of physical activity in improving mental wellness and emotional stability. She added that collaborations between fitness organisations and mental health stakeholders were important in promoting healthy lifestyles and emotional well-being.
