Universities act to address student mental health issues

Kenya’s University of Nairobi has resolved to start hiring its needy students for contractual jobs as a way of reducing depression brought about by financial challenges at the institution, writes Muoki Charles for Kenya News Agency.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Kiama said the dean of students and the career office have been charged to identify deserving students to be given the jobs, while still undertaking their studies. He said empowering their students with jobs that they can do for a small amount of money made more sense than giving the jobs to outsiders.

Speaking in Thika during an awareness walk by University of Nairobi students and their Mount Kenya University counterparts dubbed ‘O3’, which was organised by UNESCO over the weekend, Kiama said depression at the university that has led to suicides and other ills was an issue of concern that needs immediate solution. He said student leaders and deans in all the universities need to raise their awareness levels, to monitor and help students in the red zone, due to mental health issues.
Full report on the Kenya News Agency site