Reconnecting With Our "Why”
4-6 November 2024
L to R: Michelle P Durham, Kimberly Kariuki, Tina Masai, Senait Ghebrehiwet, Kalo C. Sokoto
In August 2014, I left my home in Kenya to pursue a Master's in Clinical Mental Health. After completing my undergraduate degree, I worked as a trauma counselor with migrant populations. It quickly became clear to me that I needed further training to adequately treat PTSD. During my Master’s program in the United States, I developed an interest in research and decided to pursue a doctorate in counseling psychology, which I completed in December 2023. In November 2024, I had the privilege of attending the African Global Mental Health Institute (AGMHI) annual conference in Kenya as a postdoctoral fellow, specializing in PTSD treatment, in partnership with Boston University. The conference was more than just an event—it was a transformative experience that deepened my knowledge, expanded my professional network, and inspired me to reach new heights in my career.
Studying abroad for an extended period can lead to a sense of disconnect from the mental health discourse in your home country. However, attending the AGMHI conference allowed me to rekindle my appreciation for the unique contributions that African mental health professionals, both on the continent and in the diaspora, make to the field. With the rise of precision medicine—an innovative approach that takes into account individual differences in genes, environment, and lifestyle—I learned that Africa plays a critical role in diversifying global psychiatric genetic data. It was enlightening to hear about mental health challenges faced by diverse populations, such as domestic workers in Rwanda and widows in Nigeria. I also discovered that youth are a crucial demographic in Africa’s mental health research, given that 40% of the world’s youth live in Africa!
An additional takeaway was the ongoing need for capacity building. Communities were highlighted as central to preventing mental health issues, emphasizing the importance of local involvement in mental health care. Most importantly, the conference underscored the necessity of collaboration across levels of care, disciplines and countries as the most effective means of advancing mental health initiatives in Africa. My experience at AGMHI greatly enhanced my understanding of mental health discourse on the African continent.
Another significant aspect of studying abroad is the challenge of losing touch with your professional community back home. At the AGMHI conference, I had the opportunity to reconnect and forge new professional friendships with mental health professionals in Kenya, Africa and the diaspora. I met many early-career professionals like myself, and we shared our transnational work experiences—those challenges and insights that transcend borders and career paths. We also exchanged ideas and resources, which was enriching. I especially enjoyed conversing in Kiswahili with other professionals, discussing mental health over cups of chai and mandazi, and finding Ugali on the dinner menu. It was a joy to welcome my non-Kenyan friends to Kenya and share my culture with them.
The conference also provided a rare opportunity to interact with senior mental health researchers from around the world. What stood out to me was their accessibility. Rather than dominating the stage, they made themselves available to all of us, offering their expertise and presence in a supportive, collegial manner. In a field where African mental health professionals are often few and far between, the AGMHI conference serves as a vital space to convene, fostering an environment where professional and personal connections can flourish organically.
Events like the AGMHI conference offer African mental health professionals an opportunity to reconnect with our "why" — to imagine, remember, and redefine the purpose behind our work.
Lastly, attending the AGMHI conference inspired me to reflect on the reasons I left home a decade ago to pursue my graduate studies. The pervasive influence of white supremacy, often disguised as globalization, can easily lead one to lose sight of their original motivations. Events like the AGMHI conference offer African mental health professionals an opportunity to reconnect with our "why" — to imagine, remember, and redefine the purpose behind our work. This type of space is rare, especially for early-career African professionals. It is for this reason that I joined one of the AGMHI working groups, where members meet regularly across the year to collaborate on projects.
Sitting in a room for three days filled with brilliant African identifying mental health professionals from around the world was inspiring. I left the conference feeling motivated and energized to continue my work, deeply appreciative of the profound impact the experience had on me.
By Kalo C. Sokoto, PhD
