Upili

👉 Kenyan Youth with Disabilities are 55% less likely to enroll in school and 60% more likely to dropout. 👉 Studies show symptoms of depression are up to 10x more common in Youth with Disabilities. 👉 Depression is one of the most common “secondary conditions” associated with being a Person with a Disability. These numbers are escalating rapidly as this population struggles to overcome past and present trauma and the accompanying mental health issues. This mental health crisis, a direct result of isolation, exclusion, and overall stigmatization, shows no sign of abating. Even when given the opportunity for education in special schools, these individuals lack the additional psychosocial support necessary to succeed and graduate at the same pace as their non-disabled peers. Today the long-term career prospects of this group are diminished not due to lack of talent but the burden of discrimination. Upili, a project of Next Step Foundation, endeavors to shift these statistics and mitigate the trauma associated with being a Youth with Disabilities in East Africa through its unique 4-pronged approach: ➡️ Group Counseling Counselors with Disabilities supporting Students with Disabilities to process/navigate past and current traumas. This unique approach facilitates immediate rapport with students as a result of shared lived experience and positively impacts students' and families' perspectives as both groups shift their perception of what careers are possible for Youth with Disabilities. ➡️ Teacher Trainings Educating teachers/staff to serve as Psychological First Responders in support of therapy sessions ➡️ Peer Trainings Coaching select group of students to provide peer support, active/reflective listening and mentoring ➡️ Parent/Caregiver Awareness Educating primary caregivers around disability acceptance and support both at home and in partnership with group counseling sessions