A Bomet-based teacher and mental wellness advocate, Evelyn Sanguiya, has called for a national conversation on the state of mental health in schools, warning that rising cases of student unrest, indiscipline, and suicides are symptoms of a deeper crisis affecting both learners and teachers.
Sanguiya, who has been vocal about promoting mental wellness among learners, said the recent wave of unrest in several institutions, including Litein Boys High School, and the tragic suicide of a student at Kaboson Girls, should serve as a wake-up call to all education stakeholders.
She said many students across the country are silently struggling with emotional and psychological distress, yet few schools have proper systems to identify or support them.
“The unrest in our schools is an eye-opener. It shows that our students are facing serious mental health challenges, but very few people are paying attention or offering the help they need. We must act now before we lose more young lives.” Said Sanguiya.
Sanguiya, who is a teacher Siwot Secondary School, urged school administrations to strengthen their guidance and counseling departments and make them more accessible and practical for students.
She said mental health support should not be limited to disciplinary cases but should be a continuous process that nurtures students’ emotional well-being.
She further called on the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to invest in training teachers to recognize early signs of distress and intervene before problems escalate.
According to her, many teachers lack the skills to identify behavioral changes that indicate anxiety, depression, or trauma among learners. She emphasized that schools must create a supportive and open environment where students feel safe to express themselves and seek help without fear of being judged or punished.
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“We must encourage open conversations around mental health. When students know it’s okay to talk about their struggles, we reduce the chances of them turning to violence, drugs, or suicide,” Sanguiya said.
She also noted that the traditional approach to discipline in schools must evolve in line with the Teachers Service Commission’s Code of Conduct, adding that the learners of today are growing up in a different environment shaped by social media, peer pressure, and changing family structures and teachers must adapt their methods accordingly.
“The students we have today are different. Discipline should focus on guidance, mentorship, and rehabilitation rather than punishment. Our goal should be to shape character, not to break spirits.” said the educator.
Sanguiya expressed concern over increasing cases of drug and substance abuse among students, saying it contributes to rising levels of indiscipline and mental instability. She said that punishing students for such behavior without understanding the root causes only worsens the situation.
Instead, she urged parents, teachers, and the community to work together in offering counseling and support to help learners overcome addiction and related challenges.
The teacher also highlighted the mental health challenges facing teachers themselves, following the recent suicide of a teacher at Ndubai Junior School. She said the incident is a painful reminder that educators, too, are struggling under the weight of stress, pressure, and emotional burnout.
“Teachers are the backbone of our education system, yet many are working under intense stress with little or no psychological support.The tragedy at Ndubai should remind us that teachers are human too. They need counseling, rest, and support systems to help them cope.” Said Sanguiya.
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Sanguiya said it is time for schools to adopt a holistic approach to mental wellness that includes both students and staff.
She called for policies that make mental health a central part of education and for schools to introduce programs that teach coping mechanisms, emotional intelligence, and stress management, adding that when both teachers and students are mentally healthy, the learning environment becomes more peaceful and productive.
“We cannot continue ignoring the silent cries in our schools. Both teachers and students need compassion, understanding, and safe spaces to heal and grow. With collective effort and empathy, we can rebuild our schools into centers of hope and wellness.” She said.
She concluded with a passionate call to action, urging the government, policymakers, and education leaders to prioritize mental health as part of the broader education reform agenda.
“By working together, we can create schools that are not only centers of learning but also safe spaces where every child and teacher feels valued, supported, and emotionally secure,” Sanguiya said.
Sanguiya also encouraged anyone struggling with mental health issues to speak out and seek help from a trusted person, counselor, or mental health professional. She stressed that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and that open dialogue can save lives.
By Philip Koech
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