Nakuru Lanet Youth Empowerment Group, Trailblazers Run Club Champion Mental Health Awareness Through Walk

NAKURU, Kenya — The Nakuru Lanet Youth Empowerment Group (NLYEG) and Trailblazers Run Club, in collaboration with community partners, are set to hold a mental health sensitization walk in Nakuru as part of activities marking World Suicide Prevention Awareness Day.

The Walk for Hope will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, bringing together Lanet youths, families, community leaders, mental health advocates, fitness enthusiasts and other residents to promote open conversations about mental health and suicide prevention.

World Suicide Prevention Awareness Day is observed globally every September 10, but organizers say Lanet youths will use the month-long awareness campaign to bring the message closer to the community through the September 12 walk.

The initiative will be held under the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”, with a direct call to action: “Start the Conversation.”

Organizers say the campaign seeks to challenge stigma surrounding mental health and encourage people experiencing emotional or personal difficulties to speak out and seek support.

Participants will meet at Posta Grounds between 9:00 AM and 9:30 AM, with the walk scheduled to begin at 9:45 AM sharp.

The walk will start and finish at Posta Grounds, following the route:

Posta Grounds → Works Centre → KMA → Oasis → Umoja 2 → Nakuru School → Modern → Posta Grounds.

The organizers are calling on residents, youth groups, families, organizations, community leaders and well-wishers to join the walk and demonstrate solidarity with people facing mental health challenges.

The initiative brings together individuals from different fields who are expected to contribute to the mental health sensitization campaign.

Mercy Langas, an activist and the Chief Organiser, is coordinating the initiative, while Adrian, a health and fitness coach with Trailblazers Run Club, is supporting the campaign through sport and physical activity.

The event will also feature the contribution of Naomi Mwangi, a Certified Therapist, who will bring professional mental health perspectives to the awareness campaign.

Miriam Mureithi, an educator, will also participate in the initiative, highlighting the role schools, educators and families can play in identifying emotional distress and supporting young people.

The campaign further brings together Tyson, who runs a street children feeding programme, reflecting the organizers’ broader focus on vulnerable members of the community.

Eddy Odongo, the Chairperson of Nakuru Lanet Youth Empowerment Group, is also among those championing the initiative.

Other partners supporting the campaign include Madini Waters and Fresh & Clean Mtaani, among others.

Fresh & Clean Mtaani CEO David Gathura has joined the campaign’s call for greater compassion, active listening and community support for people going through difficult moments.

In his message, Gathura emphasized the importance of creating an environment where people can openly discuss their struggles without fear of judgment.

“Every life matters. Let us learn to listen, support one another and remind those going through difficult moments that they are not alone. A simple conversation, a kind word or simply being there for someone can give hope. Together, we can create a community where people feel valued, supported and encouraged to seek help when they need it.” — David Gathura, CEO, Fresh & Clean Mtaani.

The organizers say the campaign is intended to move conversations about suicide away from silence, stigma and judgment and towards understanding, compassion and early support.

They believe that communities can play an important role by recognizing when someone may be struggling, creating safe spaces for conversations and encouraging people to seek appropriate support.

The campaign will promote messages including:

“Be Kind. Be There. Save a Life.”

“It’s Okay Not to Be Okay.”

“You Are Not Alone. Help Is Available.”

The central message of the initiative is:

“Together we walk. Together we heal. Together we prevent.”

The organizers are urging members of the public not to wait for a crisis before talking about mental health.

They say starting a simple conversation, listening without judgment and showing compassion can help create stronger support networks within families and communities.

For Lanet youths and their partners, the September 12 walk is therefore more than a physical activity. It is an opportunity to stand together, raise awareness and encourage a culture where people feel safe asking for help.

With the call “Start the Conversation,” organizers hope the Walk for Hope will inspire continued dialogue on mental health beyond the event and encourage communities to take practical steps towards suicide prevention and mental wellbeing.

The Walk for Hope will take place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, starting and ending at Posta Grounds in Nakuru.