Secondary School Heads in Kitui County have been encouraged to prioritize their mental health and introduce Judo (Martial art) programs to improve student development and well-being.
Speaking during a three-day workshop in Mombasa, Clinical Psychologist Absaki Linda from Alpha Fitness Center Kitui acknowledged that School Heads are under a lot of pressure from the students, parents, and education officials.
The workshop, attended by School Heads from Kitui County, aims at equipping the school heads with coping mechanisms for work-related stress and strategies for maintaining mental wellness. "I attended one of their forums and heard them being asked about Key Performance Indicators and auditing, meanwhile, nobody is asking them how things are back at home," Linda stated during the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) - Kitui Chapter retreat. "These individuals face immense pressure, which often leads to burnout and depression if not properly managed," she added.
At Alpha fitness center, she explained that they believe in the wholeness of an individual: mind, body and soul. "We should have safe spaces where teachers can engage in talks on mental issues to reduce stigmatization and the pressure they face," Linda said.
