Mental Health Advocacy Fellowship Program – Kenya

This exclusive opportunity is designed to empower individuals who are dedicated to driving change in the field of mental health and promoting its importance across various platforms. They invite you to join them in this transformative journey towards creating a healthier and more inclusive society. Fellows will be selected based on demonstrated commitment to mental health advocacy. The fellowship will select 50 fellows per cohort.

What Was the Aim of Nivishe Foundation?

• Nivishe Foundation was started by its founders upon realizing the need to address an alarming rise of mental illnesses and its corollary – stigma and misinformation on mental health in Kenya.
• Numerous Kenyans, status notwithstanding, suffer from mental illnesses in silence because of either scarce information or lack of safe spaces to speak out on the subject.
• Nivishe started working with women and girls from the marginalized Nubian Community.
• The Foundation has since expanded its outreach to other marginalized and vulnerable communities in the same location.
• The main aim is to reduce the stigma and create a safe space by leveraging on the ability to recognize and respond to these community needs and create a safe space for young women and girls faced with this dilemma.

Pillars

• Mental Health, Media and Advocacy
  • Goal: Enhance mental health awareness and break the stigma on mental illnesses.
• Community Mental Health
  • Achieve wellness through the use of community-based innovations and interventions.
• Strategic Partnerships
  • Goal: Institutional embodiment of mental health through strategic partnerships.
• Organizational Growth & Sustainability
  • A reputable and respected organization on mental health in underserved communities.

Who should apply? 

Individuals who:

• Are youth leaders in higher education (TVET, colleges, universities etc.)
• Are adults, though preference will be given to youth
• Are currently engaged in mental health-related work at their own capacity
• Are currently in leadership or a position that has potential for leadership e.g. youth leaders, school leaders etc.
• Value diverse perspectives
• Enjoy working in groups and have stable internet connectivity for attending the sessions.

Selection Criteria

• Strength of application form including past accomplishments that demonstrate a strong commitment to mental health advocacy
• Commitment to attend the sessions.

Selected fellows will need to

• Attend weekly virtual/online sessions (~12 ~ week time commitment).
• Commit (12-16 hours per month) for assignments and group works.
• Be proficient in the English language.
• Please note that this is a free fellowship and Nivishe Foundation will not cater for any financial aspects.
• Women, girls, people from marginalized communities, minorities and People with Disabilities are encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit Nivishe Foundation.