GenZ protests: The silent mental struggle of young men on the front Lines

“The youth in this county are hanging on by a thread,” says Nakuru County Youth Leader Daniel Kiptanui.

While June marked the end of Men’s Mental Health Month, for Kiptanui, the conversation is far from over. 

As a youth advocate who has spent the last three years raising awareness about mental health among young people, he says the crisis is deepening and the country is simply not paying enough attention.

“A general assessment among the youth is that they’re on the verge of giving up. As young people, we are exhausted, frustrated, and angry- and want the government to acknowledge that,” he says.

Kiptanui believes that the State, parents, and universities have failed young people. While many are struggling with depression, anxiety, and burnout, access to proper mental health support remains out of reach.

He speaks for the over 1.2 million men in Nakuru county, saying that there is a dangerous disconnect between older generations and the youth, despite both groups facing similar pressures like financial instability, unemployment and social expectations.

According to Kiptanui, who is also the chairperson Rift Valley Youth Wing, the result is a society that is mentally unstable and therefore unable to progress. “When the mind is not okay, the country cannot move forward,” he says.

Kiptanui has found himself spiraling.

After spending years helping others host peer conversations, organize campus forums, and participate in protests, he’s realized he had neglected his own well-being.

“I stepped back and had to admit that I was carrying too much, and I am now considering seeking help through psychosocial counselling,” he says, adding that for him and many other youth, the line between fighting for the country and protecting their mental health is increasingly blurred.

He says that if they stay silent, they carry the guilt of watching others suffer in silence, and when they speak up, they risk being labelled as troublemakers or enemies of the State.

Despite this, he and his friends have created outlets to release the mental pressure through talks, casual outings, and online games, which he says are a form of therapy.

According to Kiptanui, during their conversations, they try to challenge the widely held belief that men don’t talk about their feelings.

He believes the government must do more and fully equip mental health centers, train more counsellors, and embed mental health support in schools and universities.

“A country can’t function when its young people are broken, and until something changes, we’re heading nowhere,” he says.

According to Lydia Nyaga, the County Mental Health Coordinator (CMHC), in recent years, more people in Nakuru are actively seeking mental health support.

"In 2024, we lost over 120 people to death by suicide, with men leading in the numbers. Unfortunately, this is because men are more likely to follow through with their threats compared to women, who take their time," says Lydia, adding that the county has also taken proactive steps to address mental health issues and provide support to those at risk.

"We run awareness campaigns and programs to educate communities and our Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to recognize the signs of mental distress and encourage people to seek help. We also do this to break the stigma surrounding mental health and create a more supportive environment where people feel comfortable talking about their struggles," she says.

For anyone who needs help, remember that you're not alone. Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or professional who can offer support and guide you through difficult times.