Context

High levels of trauma in homes and the community and inequality mixed with youth unemployment (40%) influence youth's sense of self-belief, agency, and creativity. It negatively impacts their wellbeing, their

behavior, their ability to learn and engage healthily with others. They struggle to become a productive part of the economy increasing instability, negative health outcomes, poverty, crime, and extremism. Trauma is a significant factor for young Kenyans, impacting their mental health.

Kenya has experienced a series of traumatic events since the violence of colonialism began in 1895. These traumas are reproduced in structures of governance, in political cultures and, above all, in daily interactions amongst citizens, within the community, and in the homes4. In Kenya wanton poverty, high youth unemployment, and a general lack of stake in society has fed into the cycles of violence to date. Traumatic experiences can include witnessing or experiencing increasing number of violent crime cases, extrajudicial killings, electoral violence, bullying in schools, terrorism, loss of a loved one, family and community violence, living with a family member whose caregiving ability is impaired; and having a life-threatening injury or illness including current COVID-19 effects. Moreover, the increasing levels of communal violence are underlying factors of mental health risks for Kenya youth.

With over 40% of youth unemployment in a society with one of the highest high-level corruption rates in the world, the impact on self-belief, agency, and creativity has been severely impacted. In addition to the imperatives of patriarchy, young people, particularly young men, are the frontline purveyors of all forms of violence. All of the above cause trauma which is a risk factor for nearly all behavioral health and substance

use issues8. Trauma experienced by children and youth is a pervasive and serious public health issue that requires a coordinated response from health and mental health providers.

Culture

High unemployment and limits to free expression make Kenyan youth frustrated with their politicians’ undelivered promises. Their perceived exclusion from political decision-making means popular culture and social media become outlets for their voice and self-definition.

On the one hand, youth are caught between childhood and adulthood, frequently finding themselves unrepresented in key areas of decision-making in politics and the workplace. On the other, their expanded understanding of the world they live in, increased educational opportunities, and access to global media mean they are discontent with this exclusion, unwilling to wait at the fringes of society as others define their lives. Instead, they take charge and seek to not only define themselves but also their society. Social media and popular culture thus become such important sites and platforms on which youth express themselves.

Most images that people see and internalize today in Kenya about young people come from the newspapers and social media. There are very few positive images. Almost everything that people see about themselves and their context is about violence, destruction, and pain. Thus showing that there is already many positive and healthy practices that happen everyday in society is an important part of a strenth-based, healing-centered approach. It also shows that there are many things people do everyday to support their emotional and mental health.

Some of the visual images are extremely hurtful and envoke deep emotions due to the subject areas. The adaptation process participants note such images are a part of the truth-telling process of the violent and complex societies they live in. They felt including uncomfortable images is important as it documents the harsh realities of people's lived experiences. They note that such images are not re-traumaizing but instead are an important part of their healing process. They insist on difficult images in order for people to tell the stories in their hearts.