Photo caption: Amani Counselling Centre and Training Institute staff pose for a group photo during the launch of the Amani Walk for Mental Wellness 2026 in Nairobi on October 16, 2026.
NAIROBI, October 16, 2026 — Amani Counselling Centre and Training Institute has called for concerted efforts to address mental health challenges and stigma as it prepares to host a wellness walk in Nairobi on November 14.
The Amani Walk for Mental Wellness 2026 will take place at Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary from 7 a.m., bringing together individuals, families and institutions to raise awareness and encourage people to seek professional support.
Speaking during the launch in Nairobi, Amani Executive Director Florence Busiega said mental health challenges affected people in homes, workplaces, churches and institutions of higher learning, requiring a collective response from communities and government.
“The absence of a cry for help does not mean the absence of suffering,” Busiega said, urging Kenyans to create supportive environments where people could discuss their psychological struggles without fear of judgement.
She said stigma remained a major obstacle to seeking help, with many people reluctant to discuss their experiences despite the difficulties they faced.
“A person who is struggling should not have to become a statistic before we pay attention,” Busiega said, calling for compassion, early intervention and accessible professional support.
Busiega urged national and county governments, institutions and members of the public to support mental wellness initiatives.
She also said Amani was establishing a wellness centre on its Mbagathi property, with further details on its fundraising target expected during the walk.
Amani Fundraising Chairperson and Counselling Psychologist Naomi Mwikali said the event would accommodate participants with different fitness levels through several walking distances.
“The walk will cover from five kilometres to 10 kilometres,” Mwikali said, adding that a 20-kilometre option would also be available for those willing to go further.
She said the different routes were intended to accommodate a wide range of participants and encouraged Kenyans to join the initiative.
“We are just doing bare minimum to at least accommodate everyone,” Mwikali said, explaining the provision of shorter walking distances.
Meanwhile, Amani Clinical Services Department Clinical Psychologist Sophie Morioki raised concern over mental health challenges among university and tertiary institution students, citing figures indicating that 40.7 per cent were experiencing difficulties.
She said young people faced challenges ranging from everyday stress to more severe conditions such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
“One of the calls to action is accessibility, easy access to mental health services,” Morioki said, appealing to national and county governments to support institutions providing counselling and psychological care
.She said individuals should also be alert to changes that could indicate psychological distress, including difficulties sleeping or concentrating, changes in appetite, irritability and disproportionate anger.
Morioki noted that children could experience mental health challenges but might struggle to explain their feelings.
“When you just see a change in behavior for children, then come to us and we’ll be able to guide you and support you better,” she said, urging parents and guardians to seek professional guidance when they noticed worrying changes.
The walk will be held under the theme “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” encouraging communities to listen to people experiencing mental health difficulties and respond with empathy rather than judgement.
Established in 1979, Amani Counselling Centre and Training Institute provides counselling services, professional training and community outreach aimed at promoting emotional and psychological wellbeing.
