Chuka University Holds Mental Health Awareness Walk

by Harun Mugambi,

Professor Henry Mutembei (center),Chuka University Vc talking to the press after the Mental Health Awareness Walk at Chuka University

CHUKA, THARAKA-NITHI - The Office of the Vice-Chairperson Chuka University Student Association (CUSA) in collaboration with the Office of Student Welfare organized a mental health awareness walk today around the university .

The event was held under the theme #NotOkayisOkay, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and addressing mental health issues.

The walk started from the university's main gate and proceeded around the campus, with students and staff members participating. The event aimed to shed light on the importance of mental health, reduce stigma, and encourage students to seek help when needed.

The Vice chancellor of Chuka University Professor Mutembei said, "...Don't leave beyond your means." The message underscored the importance of mental health awareness and the need for everyone to understand that it's okay to not be okay.

The Vc Prof. Mutemebi, urged students to be resilient even after exams failures, the need to talk to each other about life challenges. He emphasized that students ought to seek help incase of any difficulties ranging from psychological issues, financial constrains impending ones studies, drug addiction, academic challenges among other life problems.

The assistant dean of students, Mr. Francis Gicheru, said, "our shoulders are there to lean on" emphasizing the need of students to utilize available resources and seek professional guidance incase of any mental or psychological issue.

The event concluded with a series of talks and discussions about mental health, self-care, and the resources available for students at the university from the students leaders and other stakeholders. The vice chairperson CUSA, who pioneered the emphasized the need for students to seek help and the challenges what students are undergoing is what motivated her from the inception of the idea to todays actualization.

This event is part of a broader initiative by Chuka University to prioritize mental health and provide a supportive environment for its students. The university plans to hold more such events in the future to continue promoting mental health awareness.

Professor Henry Mutembei, Chuka University Vc leading the Mental Health Awareness Walk around Chuka University

photos courtesy of Chuka University X handle.