Mental Health Sports Tournaments
Experience the power of play. Discover how our Mental Health Sports Tournaments use sports, talents, games and art to spark healing, awareness and community resilience.
A Movement for Healing, Expression & Well-being
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In alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 – Good Health and Well-being, Afrikala Art runs Mental Health Sports Tournament, a bold and transformative initiative that brings together sports, art and advocacy to tackle the rising mental health crisis among young people in under-resourced communities.
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Our Mental Health Sports Tournament edition doubles down on our commitment to mental health awareness, destigmatisation and empowerment through creative and physical expression.
Why This Is Important
In the communities Afrikala Art serves, where healthcare and mental wellness are often inaccessible luxuries, our Mental Health Sports Tournaments are not just activities; they’re a radical intervention grounded in dignity, equity and hope. Mental health is the backbone of a thriving society. Here's why this work is urgent and essential:
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Overall Well-being
Mental health profoundly affects how we experience daily life, how we feel, function and flourish. For many young people in under-resourced neighbourhoods, chronic stress, trauma and survival pressures dim their joy. Through structured sports and therapeutic activities, we help restore hope, energy, resilience and a sense of possibility. These aren’t side benefits, they’re the goal.
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Relationships
Mental health influences how we relate to others, whether it’s teammates, peers, family or teachers. Our tournaments are intentionally designed to foster positive social interactions, collective play and teamwork. These shared experiences strengthen relationships and model healthier forms of connection, trust and communication.
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Productivity and Performance
When mental health suffers, so does our focus, learning and performance. Many of our participants face educational setbacks due to stress, economic strain or emotional burdens. Through our games, we foster self-confidence, discipline and emotional regulation skills that translate to classrooms, workplaces and life.
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Physical Health Connection
The mind and body are not separate. Anxiety and depression often manifest as physical fatigue, low immunity or pain. Physical activities like basketball and football are natural mood boosters and reduce symptoms of depression. By integrating free health check-ups into our tournaments, we holistically address both mental and physical health, particularly in communities where accessing a clinic is out of reach for many.
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Coping with Life
From losing loved ones to dealing with addiction, unemployment or domestic challenges, life throws heavy punches. Our tournaments act as soft landings where young people can develop resilience through counselling, peer support and creative outlets like art and dance therapy. These safe spaces help youth learn coping tools that could save their lives.
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Prevention of Mental Illness
By providing early interventions like mental health check-ins, art therapy and youth-friendly conversations, we help prevent the progression of undiagnosed or untreated mental health issues. This kind of upstream care can drastically reduce future crises, suicidal ideations and harmful coping behaviours in adulthood.
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Reducing Stigma
For too long, mental illness has been met with shame or silence. Our tournaments challenge this by making mental health visible, normal and okay to talk about. We include dignity kits, hope walls and open mic spaces to encourage expression. Every story shared chips away at stigma and invites others to speak up.
"Mental health is not a luxury, it’s foundational. And in our communities, where young people are often silenced, ignored or marginalised, showing up for their mental wellness is a revolutionary act."​
Our Approach:
Engaging Minds Through Movement, Expression and Learning
We meet people where they are in play, in creativity and in curiosity. Afrikala Art’s model is grounded in a three-pronged, holistic strategy:
Our Impact Vision
By integrating creativity, movement and education, Afrikala Art aims to:
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Destigmatise mental health through lived experience and joyful engagement.
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Enhance emotional resilience by normalising safe expression and seeking help.
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Foster inclusive communities where empathy, peer support and self-awareness thrive.
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Shift attitudes and behaviours toward mental health care, especially among youth, men and caregivers.
Our Mental Health Sports Tournaments are not just events, they are healing and building grounds for a new kind of future.
Why This Matters
Mental health affects everyone, but young people are among the most affected and the least likely to seek support. In recent years, suicide rates among young people have increased alarmingly, yet stigma and societal expectations continue to discourage our young people from opening up. Our tournaments address this silence head-on.
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Key Challenges We Tackle:
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Rising suicide rates among young people
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Lack of mental health awareness and education
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Social stigma that discourages help-seeking
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Limited access to safe spaces and psychological support
Our Response: A Healing, Creative Platform
Afrikala Art is not just an organisation but a youth-led movement reimagining self-expression, healing and social justice through creativity, sports and storytelling. With a core belief that art is therapy and sport is dialogue, our Mental Health Sports Tournaments serve as vital community spaces for:
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Peer support and connection
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Mental health education
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Trauma-informed healing practices
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Safe and non-judgemental conversations
These tournaments take place twice a year and are intentionally designed around moments that commemorate mental health, including candlelight vigil held in our neighbourhoods, where we honour young lives lost to suicide.
What We Do During the Tournaments
Sports Tournaments
All gender-focused, peer-structured games to encourage bonding, movement and mental release.
Mental Health Conversations
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Group talks, discussions and community dialogues about mental health.
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Trained professionals deliver Mental Health First Aid and offer on-site counselling.
Art, Dance & Game Therapy
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Creative sessions such as painting, yoga, expressive movement and game-based therapy.
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Tools for emotional release, self-awareness and resilience-building.
Community Building & Safe Spaces
Fostering mentorship, collective support and positivity through trust-based circles.
Health Drives & Support
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Blood donation, wellness check-ups and basic physical health education.
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Resources and referrals for ongoing mental health support.
Our Commitment
We are committed to breaking the silence, fostering healing and changing narratives around mental health in Kenya and beyond. With every dunk, every pass, every breath and every conversation, we aim to create space for hope, resilience and collective growth.
Expected Impact & Outcomes
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Directly engage 2000+ children and young people per tournament with mental health resources and interventions.
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Train participants in practical tools for emotional regulation, peer support and mental health first aid.
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Reduce stigma, increase self-awareness and build community-led support systems.
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Integrate conversations about SDG 3 into grassroots community life in meaningful and accessible ways.