Published: June 2025

At Stowelink Foundation, we believe mental health is just as vital as physical health—especially for young people navigating high-pressure academic and social environments. That’s why we were proud to have our Founder and CEO, Ogweno Stephen, lead a critical conversation organized by the Africa Health Collaborative on “Mental Health and Identity for Students Studying at Home & Abroad.”

Held virtually on June 25, 2025, the session brought together students, educators, and public health advocates from across Africa and the diaspora to shine a spotlight on the silent struggles facing today’s youth.

Unpacking the Mental Minefield of Student Life

In this session, Ogweno Stephen—renowned global health advocate and mental health champion—delivered an engaging, honest, and deeply empathetic discussion about the realities students face both at home and abroad.

The conversation touched on:

• Anxiety, burnout, depression, and emotional fatigue faced by students navigating academic pressure, cultural expectations, and uncertainty about the future.
• The complex intersections of identity, particularly for those balancing cultural heritage with global experiences.
• The feeling of “being caught in between worlds” that many African students studying abroad experience—especially when expectations to succeed are overwhelming.

African Solutions, Global Relevance

Ogweno brought Stowelink’s expertise in mental health programming, youth engagement, and public health advocacy into the conversation. Drawing from both personal experience and organizational work, he highlighted practical tools and culturally grounded approaches to student wellness, including:

• African wellness practices such as storytelling, communal support, and spiritual grounding.
• Modern tools for self-care and mental resilience, from digital mental health platforms to peer support networks.
• The importance of safe spaces, both physical and virtual, where youth can be heard without judgment.

“When we talk about student success, we must also talk about student survival. Mental health is not a luxury—it’s a foundation,” Stephen noted during the session.

Our Commitment at Stowelink

This session aligns with Stowelink’s mental health pillar, where we:

• Break stigma through youth-friendly safe spaces and community campaigns.
• Promote mental health education in universities and secondary schools.
• Co-create solutions with youth for more inclusive and compassionate systems.

We thank the Africa Health Collaborative for organizing this timely dialogue and for creating space to center African voices, experiences, and wisdom in the global mental health conversation.

Looking Ahead

As we continue championing mental health equity for young people, Stowelink will remain a voice, a platform, and a partner for students facing pressure, uncertainty, and identity challenges. Whether at home or abroad, no student should ever feel alone in their struggle.

Let’s keep talking, learning, and healing—together.

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