Breaking the Silence: Forum Pushes Collective Fight Against Youth Suicide.

Breaking the Silence: Forum Pushes Collective Fight Against Youth Suicide.

Policymakers, researchers and youth leaders brainstorm bold strategies to tackle suicidal thoughts during a high-level forum at Aga Khan University, Nairobi.

Nairobi, Kenya – October 1, 2025

Suicide has emerged as one of Africa’s most pressing public health challenges, claiming the lives of thousands of young people each year. Despite being preventable, progress remains slow, hindered by stigma, limited awareness and inadequate access to mental health services.

In response, the Aga Khan University’s Brain and Mind Institute (BMI), in collaboration with the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA), convened the Youth Suicide Prevention Forum in Nairobi under the theme: “Making Suicide Prevention Everyone’s Business, Hope in Action.”

The forum brought together policymakers, researchers, youth leaders and individuals with lived experience to push for collective, community-driven strategies to prevent suicide and improve mental health outcomes across Kenya and Africa.

Prof. Zul Merali, Founding Director of BMI, emphasized that suicide prevention must extend beyond health systems to become a shared societal responsibility.

“When young people are silenced by stigma or denied access to affordable care, we all fail. This forum is about creating safe spaces, amplifying youth voices and building actionable pathways that save lives,” said Merali.

The forum underscored the urgent need to reframe public narratives around suicide, moving away from silence and condemnation toward empathy, dialogue and community support.

Kenya’s 2023 decision to decriminalize suicide was hailed as a milestone in shifting policy towards compassion and care. Dr. Catherine Wanjiku, a psychiatrist with the Ministry of Health, noted that the government is working to translate such reforms into meaningful action through the Suicide Prevention Strategy 2021–2026.

“The decriminalization of suicide marked a turning point. We are strengthening mental health policies, expanding community-based services and ensuring timely support reaches every young person in need,” Wanjiku said.

Dr. Judy Omumbo, Head of Programmes at SFA, stressed that suicide prevention cannot be left to healthcare professionals alone.

“It touches every part of society, families, schools, workplaces, faith communities, governments and local communities. Preventing suicide must therefore be everyone’s business,” she said.

Speakers called for stronger cross-sector collaboration, integrating schools, community structures and faith-based organizations into the fight against youth suicide.

Grassroots voices highlighted the persistent disconnect between academic research and community realities. Anisa Rashid, Director of the Nubeshe Foundation, pointed out that language barriers, cultural stigma and top-down approaches often alienate communities from suicide prevention efforts.

“We need a shared lexicon that reflects our cultures and realities. Research must be packaged in ways communities can use. Otherwise, solutions will remain distant and inaccessible,” Rashid said.

She further stressed the importance of safeguarding digital platforms, acknowledging lived experiences, and embracing cultural sensitivity in mental health interventions.

Personal testimonies added a human face to the statistics. Youth advocate Faith Mungo shared her journey of navigating stigma and finding resilience in peer networks and advocacy.

“I am here unapologetically representing every young person who has struggled in silence. Our voices must be heard because stories of survival can inspire hope and change,” she said, drawing applause.

The forum concluded with a strong call to bridge the gap between policy, research and grassroots implementation. Panelists stressed that suicide prevention requires practical, culturally relevant and youth-centered strategies that can be scaled down to the community level.

As Prof. Merali noted, “The power to save lives lies not only in hospitals and clinics, but in homes, classrooms, workplaces and community gatherings. Suicide prevention is everyone’s business and it begins with hope in action."