By Mitchel Omukuba Anyanje

On November 26, 10 members of the Peer Educators and Club (PECC) attended the Global Mental Health and Wellness Summit, an event hosted by M.P. Shah Hospital and Lions International at Villa Rosa Kempinski.

Speaking during the event, Dr. Toseef Din, the Chief Executive Officer of M.P. Shah Hospital, set the tone for the day, grounding the conversation on real-world mental health challenges and the need for community-driven solutions. The attendees also learnt about Lions International, a global non-profit organization that is committed to uplifting communities through service. Hearing about the scope of their reach made the entire event feel connected to something much bigger.

Throughout the day, attendees engaged with several professionals working in different areas of mental health. They explored the topic of substance use, addressing the realities many young people face. They also explored the impact of online culture on mental well-being and discussed cyberbullying and how people can use their social media platforms to advocate for change by positively influencing others. This conversation led participants to reflect deeply on the digital world we navigate daily.

Another major theme of the summit was stigma, including how it forms, why people remain silent, and practical ways to overcome it. These conversations came alive through a panel that covered mental health, substance abuse, and their effects. The panelists shared personal experiences on substance use, and how having a strong support system plays a pivotal role in recovery, and the power of open dialogue among others. Each speaker added a new piece to the bigger picture, creating a rich and continuous conversation.

Taking part in the discussions, as well as witnessing the creativity of the performers, opened attendees’ eyes to how broad and flexible the field of psychology truly is. The students interacted with professionals who began their journey in psychology but later branched into music, motivational coaching, pediatric work, and even programs designed to keep girls in school. They engaged with people running organizations that directly change lives, and learnt that Psychologists are not limited to becoming therapists; there are countless ways to merge psychology with personal passions, talents, and social impact.

The summit provided a platform for networking with not only professionals but also students from other universities, including Strathmore, Daystar, the University of Nairobi, and Kenyatta University, offering PECC members an opportunity to learn how institutions are engaging with mental health and community work.