YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION TAKES CENTER STAGE: COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR HOPE AND CHANGE

Participants during the Youth Suicide Prevention Forum in Nairobi, convened by the Aga Khan University’s Brain and Mind Institute and the Science for Africa Foundation, where experts, policymakers, and youth leaders called for collective action to make suicide prevention everyone’s business.

By: Glad Tv Kenya reporter 

Suicide has become one of the most urgent public health issues facing Africa, particularly among young people, and experts are urging joint action to curb the crisis.

That was the focus of the Youth Suicide Prevention Forum held in Nairobi, convened by the Aga Khan University’s Brain and Mind Institute (BMI) in collaboration with the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA). Held under the theme “Making Suicide Prevention Everyone’s Business: Hope in Action”, the gathering brought together mental health professionals, policymakers, youth voices, and individuals with lived experience to identify practical solutions.

Speakers noted that although suicide is preventable, stigma, misinformation, and the lack of accessible, affordable mental health services remain significant obstacles for young people. The forum also reflected on Kenya’s landmark decision in 2023 to decriminalize suicide  a step seen as critical to shifting perceptions and responses around mental health.

Prof. Zul Merali, Founding Director of BMI, highlighted the need for collective responsibility in addressing the issue:

“When stigma silences young people or when they are unable to find affordable care, we fail as a society. This forum is about building safe spaces, empowering youth voices, and turning ideas into real action that saves lives. Suicide prevention has to be a shared responsibility.”

This perspective was reinforced by Dr. Judy Omumbo, Head of Programmes at the Science for Africa Foundation, who pointed out that suicide prevention must cut across all sectors of society.

“Suicide prevention is a social and moral obligation, not something that can be left to health systems alone. It affects families, schools, workplaces, faith groups, governments, and communities everywhere. That is why it must be everyone’s business.”

From the government side, commitments to strengthen mental health services were outlined. Dr. Catherine Wanjiku, Psychiatrist at the Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Division, emphasized the impact of ongoing reforms through the Suicide Prevention Strategy 2021–2026.

“Kenya’s decriminalization of suicide was a major step forward. We are now implementing measures to expand community-level services and embed suicide prevention in national health programs so that every young person can receive timely help.”

The forum also featured powerful personal testimonies that underscored the human side of the crisis. Stories of survival and recovery highlighted the role of peer networks, supportive communities, and safe spaces in countering stigma and restoring hope.

In closing, participants called for deeper collaboration across sectors  bringing together healthcare, education, faith-based groups, and communities  to create integrated responses that put young people at the center.

With suicide ranked among the top causes of death for adolescents and young adults worldwide, the Nairobi meeting marked an important step in ensuring policies and research are translated into real, community-driven solutions that break stigma, widen access to care, and ultimately save lives.