DUSA Hosts Mental Health Forum

Highlights from the DUSA Mental Health Forum at the DAC Auditorium, Nairobi Campus, which was held on 9th July 2026.

By Joshua Douglas & Cyprine Keriga

[Nairobi, 9th July 2026] Daystar University Students' Association (DUSA) hosted a Mental Health Forum at the DAC Auditorium, Nairobi Campus, under the theme "Say It Before It Breaks You".

The Forum was more than just an event; it was a declaration that mental health does matters at Daystar University.

The DUSA president, Ms. Faith Beatrice Amuono, set the tone for the forum with her welcoming remarks, acknowledging the silent struggles that many students carry daily and asserting the university's commitment to building an environment where seeking help is not a sign of weakness but a signature of strength.

Mr. Rodney from Academia opened the presentations with a forward-looking discussion on leveraging technology and academic tools to support student success and well-being. In an era where students are more digitally linked yet emotionally isolated, Rodney explored how the very devices that often contribute to stress and anxiety can also be repurposed as tools for wellness, academic support, and connection.

Ms. Beth Ng’ang’a, the co-founder of Patanisha Africa, a Kenyan company founded in 2021, discussed the role of digital platforms in mental health support for young people. Her presentation was both practical and deeply inspiring, challenging students to rethink how they approach opportunities and relationships.

Ms. Ng'ang'a emphasized the power of intentionality, especially in self-introductions. She urged students never to look down upon themselves or anyone they meet, because opportunities arise from the most unexpected places.

"Introductions should be intentional," she said, reminding the audience that every connection holds potential, and a casual encounter could open doors to mentorship, collaboration or career-defining moments.

Ms. Ng'ang'a addressed the broader pressures facing young people today. She spoke candidly about transition from childhood to adulthood, noting that many students feel overwhelmed by the demands of independence. She however offered a reassuring perspective: "Adulting is a scam, no, it's not. It just takes us time to know what we want."

Her words resonated with students navigating the often-confusing path from campus to career, from dependency to self-reliance. She reminded them that it is okay not to have everything figured out, and that the journey is as important as the destination.

She concluded her presentation by revealing that Patanisha-Africa had developed a blueprint designed to help students face each day's challenges. While she didn't detail every element, Ms. Ng'ang'a emphasized that the framework offered practical strategies for managing stress, building resilience and staying grounded amid the chaos of academic and personal life.

One of the most significant moments of the forum was the introduction of the Daystar Mental Health Club, a student-led initiative designed to break the stigma surrounding mental health on campus. The presentation outlined the club's vision and objectives, emphasizing student engagement opportunities that would create a peer-support network where students could speak openly without fear of judgment.

This initiative builds on research, showing that peer-led mental health clubs can provide a safe space for students to discuss their struggles, with active listening at the core of the support system. The club's approach focuses on creating an enabling environment through group support sessions, helping to normalize the process of seeking help among students who might otherwise suffer in silence.

CEO of the Fred Mushila Foundation, Mr. Fred Mushila, delivered a compelling address on promoting mental wellness through community and leadership. Drawing from his extensive experience, Mr. Mushila challenged the audience to recognize that mental health is not just an individual struggle but a collective responsibility.

He emphasized that leaders, whether in student government, the classroom, or the workplace, have a duty to create environments where people feel safe to share their struggles, and that true leadership requires empathy and the courage to address uncomfortable truths about the mental health crisis facing young people today.

The centrepiece of the forum was a panel discussion themed "Pressure. Healing. Mind Matters: A Conversation on Mental Wellbeing and Young People," moderated by Colines Muyeku, a student from the School of Law.  The panel brought together a diverse cross-section of voices:

• Ms. Rhoda Mwongela, CEO of Let's Talk with Bossbaby, a mental health advocate who has documented over 570 cases through her initiative and has dedicated her life to ensuring young people have someone to talk to.
• David Mandu, President of Daystar Compassion and Care Centre (DC3) and a Student Counsellor.
• Adrian Oluoch, a law student
• Eric Nzioka
• Fortune Musyoka

The panel explored the multifaceted pressures facing young people [Gen z] today, which include academic demands, financial strain, relationship challenges and the weight of social media expectations. Each panelist brought a unique perspective, with the importance of breaking the silence emerging as a common thread.

Ms. Rhoda Mwongela, who thinks of herself as a "wounded healer," shared her personal journey of overcoming mental health challenges through therapy and finding the courage to advocate for others. Her message was simple yet profound: healing is possible, and the first step is speaking up.

In her remarks, Ms. Mwongela addressed the concept of generational trauma, how pain can be passed down through families until someone is brave enough to face it and break the cycle.

"Generational trauma gets carried through generations until someone is brave enough to face all the pain and clear the pathway for the next generation. And even if the pain wasn't created by you and it's not your fault, it's your own responsibility to heal it and live a life of love and light," she said.

By creating a club that normalizes seeking help, Daystar is taking a significant step toward destigmatizing mental health on campus.

As the forum closed with a vote of thanks and prayer by the DUSA President, Ms. Faith Beatrice Amuono, a sense of hope and renewed purpose was palpable. Students left the DAC Auditorium not just with knowledge but with a commitment to speak up, listen, be part of the solution, and create a campus where mental health is no longer a whispered secret but a priority.

The theme "Say It Before It Breaks You" challenges every student, faculty and staff member to take mental health seriously, break the silence, and ensure that no one suffers alone.