Gauging life stressors and their impact on youth mental health: report on a convening of the BEING mental-health initiative of the Science for Africa Foundation,16-17 January 2024, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

This report presents findings from a two-day convening hosted by the Science for Africa (SFA) Foundation in Nairobi, Kenya, focusing on identifying emerging stressors impacting youth mental health in 13 focus countries. The meeting was attended by representatives of 11 of the 13 countries excluding Egypt and Morrocco. Utilising the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) and the Relational Well-being Approach, representatives from 11 countries engaged in exercises and discussions to identify and rank critical mental health stressors at personal, societal, and environmental levels. Participants also considered potential solutions to address these priority youth mental health stressors and concerns.