TED Talks Daily A new way to help young people with their mental health | Tom Osborn
Dec 15, 2021
Tom Osborn, a mental health innovator, is breaking new ground in Kenya by improving access to mental health support for youth. He discusses the stigma surrounding mental health and the overwhelming pressure faced by young people in educational settings. With the Shamiri Institute, he trains peers to provide vital mental health care, emphasizing community-driven solutions. Osborn advocates for creating safe spaces for dialogue and highlights innovative approaches to combat rising anxiety and depression among Kenya's youth.
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Childhood and Academic Pressure
- Tom Osborne grew up on a sugarcane farm in Kenya, where his parents emphasized education.
- Academic pressure was intense, with early mornings and late nights filled with studying.
Recognizing Mental Health
- In high school, Osborne noticed the emotional toll of academic pressure on himself and his peers.
- He later realized that what they experienced could have been mental health problems like depression and anxiety.
Youth Mental Health Crisis
- Studies reveal that nearly half of Kenyan adolescents face mental health challenges.
- In a country with a young population, youth mental health has become a critical public health concern.