Why we do what we do
Mental health is becoming a significant concern in Kenya. Studies by the Kenyan National Commission of Human Rights (2011) estimated that a staggering 25% to 40% of outpatients and inpatients in hospitals suffer from mental health conditions. A World Health Organization (WHO) report (2017) further highlighted the severity of the situation, ranking Kenya fifth among African countries with elevated depression cases.
Sexual exploitation, early pregnancies, and gender-based violence (GBV) paint a grim picture. According to the Federation of Woman Lawyers (FIDA), a vast spectrum of SGBV is prevalent, ranging from intimate partner violence to defilement and gang rape. Limited knowledge about reproductive health choices leads to the high prevalence of early pregnancies. A 2023 study by Lonnie Embleton et al. found low utilization rates of SRH services among adolescent girls.
The culture of denial and silence surrounding mental health issues only exacerbates the situation. The silence stems from the tendency of communities to attribute mental illness to supernatural causes. Consequently, people with mental illness face stigma and discrimination in various areas of their lives. They are stigmatized by their relatives, at work, and in the community. Stigmatization around mental health denies patients the empathy and understanding that sick individuals have traditionally received in African society.
At G4G we believe that every person has a right to live a normal life.
This is inspired by the experience of the co-founder, who overcame severe depression with psychiatric help. The traumatic experience of cyberbullying and harassment drove her to fight for justice and support other survivors.
We provide trauma-informed support and counselling, actively advocate against Technologically Facilitated Gender-Based Violence, and equally advocate for Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights.
We strongly believe in treating the whole person. Thus, instead of keeping physical and mental health separate, we use an integrated model that includes various types of care. This ranges from individual counselling and peer support to creative therapies like yoga, art therapy, and gardening. We understand that mental and physical well-being are connected.
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