Talking About What Matters: A Mental Health Day at VF Academy

In partnership with St. Mary Hospital, our students spent a full day exploring identity, peer pressure, stress, and where to find help — turning what is often a silent topic into an open conversation.

On 16 May 2026, the classrooms at VF Academy looked a little different. There were no exercise books on the desks, no maths problems on the board. Instead, students sat in circles, played myth-versus-fact games, acted out role-plays and — perhaps most importantly — talked openly about how they feel.

The day marked the beginning of an important new chapter in our youth wellbeing work, delivered together with our new partners at St. Mary Hospital. For a community where mental health is too often a topic spoken of in whispers, the day was about something simple and radical: giving young people the vocabulary, the tools and the permission to look after their own minds.

A full day, built around real life

The session was facilitated by Nicholas and a colleague from St. Mary, who guided students through ten modules over the course of the day. Each one was designed to connect to something the young people already recognise — life at home, pressure from friends, what they see on social media, the choices they face every week.

Among the topics explored:

•       Self-awareness and self-esteem — understanding identity and naming the challenges young people face

•       Mental Health 101 — a myth-versus-fact game to break down common misconceptions

•       Influence and pressure — pressure scenarios and a critical look at media messages

•       Stress, anxiety and social media — case studies drawn from situations students themselves recognise

•       Communication — active listening and assertiveness role-plays

•       Decision-making and help-seeking — SMART goals, consequences, and knowing where to turn when life feels heavy

What we wanted students to walk away with

This was not a one-off motivational talk. The day was structured around four clear learning goals, each of which we will continue to track in future sessions:

•       Knowledge: students can name at least three signs of teenage depression.

•       Stigma: fewer young people believe that people living with mental illness are dangerous.

•       Help-seeking: at least nine out of ten students can confidently say,

“I know where to find help in my community.”

•       Application: students feel comfortable using simple coping tools, such as deep breathing, when they feel overwhelmed.

“They made sure that everything was connected to society, school, home and things students encounter in everyday life. The students were really getting involved.”

— Michael, VF Academy alumnus and session observer

From alumni to mentors: the circle continues

One of the quiet successes of the day was who was in the room. Michael, a VF Academy alumnus, sat in to observe and offer feedback — and he noticed something we are proud of. The facilitators had taken his earlier feedback on board and refined their approach accordingly.

This is exactly the kind of loop we hope to build at Volunteers Foundation: young people who have moved through our programmes returning to shape what we offer to the next generation. Mental health work is never finished — it improves only when those closest to the experience are listened to.

Why this work matters

Children growing up in Kibera face pressures that few of their peers elsewhere have to navigate — economic strain at home, exposure to risky environments, and the everyday weight of uncertainty.

Days like this one are one part of a wider picture: daily morning movement, twice-yearly health checks, mood and wellbeing tracking, teacher training, and pastoral support throughout the school year. Together, these form the “Mental & Physical Wellbeing” pillar of our 360° model — alongside academics and personal development.

Thank you

To Nicholas and the team at St. Mary Hospital, thank you for the energy, care and clinical expertise you brought to our students. To Michael, thank you for showing what alumni leadership looks like in practice. And to the donors and supporters who make programmes like this possible — thank you for understanding that a child’s mind matters just as much as their marks.

Volunteers Foundation runs regular health and wellbeing programmes for students at VF Academy in Kibera, Nairobi. To support our work, visit our donations page or get in touch to learn more about partnering with us.