Fostering Mental Health Resilience Among the Youth Through the Relational Youth Ministry Model
Abstract
This paper focuses on how to foster mental health resilience among the youth through the relational youth ministry model, drawing from research conducted within the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (P.C.E.A) Ngecha Presbytery in Kiambu County, Kenya. The research focused on the youth aged 20-30 years of age. A vital investment in the future life of youth is to foster mental health resilience, which helps them tackle mental health challenges and navigate the complex life successfully. Mental health challenges among the youth continue to escalate globally, with mental health resilience playing a crucial role in either exacerbating or mitigating these issues. The youth’s overall well-being and mental health greatly depend on the degree of resilience. Globally, anxiety and depression are the most prevalent and of great concern among university students. According to the United Nations, each year, 20% of youth worldwide experience a mental health condition. The same is true for Africa, Kenya, and in Kiambu county, with academic pressure, insufficient social support, and financial problems contributing to this challenge. The study employed a mixed-methods design with 168 participants, utilising survey questionnaires. The study concluded that strengthening family and healthy relationships through improved communication, emotional support, and spiritual guidance can significantly mitigate youth mental health challenges. These findings have implications for faith-based interventions, family counselling programs, and community mental health strategies
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Copyright (c) 2025 Jacqueline Kang’ori, Kevin Muriithi Ndereba, PhD
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