In Kenya, mental health challenges are widespread. But many people struggle to get the help they need.

To help bridge that gap, a local organization is empowering the individuals people are most likely to turn to first when they are struggling: their friends.

Mental Health 360's "Rafiki" program, named after the Kiswahili word for friend, trains trusted peers to offer early support and help connect people with professional care.

The programme is built around three things: training, supervision and guidance. And for some volunteers, the work is deeply personal. Isma’il Abdul Karim says before joining the Rafiki programme, he went through a difficult period in his life and struggled with suicidal thoughts. Today, he is using that experience to support others facing similar challenges.

For Janet Agisa, that support made all the difference. Facing emotional and financial pressures, the young mother found encouragement through a peer-support group. There, she discovered a community of people who understood what was she going through.

For young people like Janet, support can begin with a simple conversation. And sometimes, the first step towards getting help is a friend who knows where to turn next.