MMUST Steps Up efforts to Address Students’ Mental Health Challenges Through Research
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) is stepping up efforts to address its students’ mental health challenges through a research initiative that seeks to develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered digital therapy Application. The IRF-funded Project titled, ‘Design, Implementation and Evaluation of a Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention to Improve MMUST Students’ Mental Well-being’, is a multidisciplinary project that has attracted researchers from the School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Paramedical Sciences (SONMAPS); School of Computing and Informatics (SCI); School of Arts and Social Sciences (SASS), and Kakamega County Referral Hospital. On 1st October, 2026, the Project team led by the Principal Investigator (PI), Mr. John Arudo, who is the current Dean SONMAPS, sensitized student leaders, specifically, the School Representatives to prepare them for an upcoming mental health survey targeting 2,223 students. The online survey will establish baseline levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among MMUST students.
From the available data, approximately 60% of university students in Kenya experience mental health challenges, yet access to support services remains limited. “Stigma surrounding mental health problems, increasing number of students, coupled with current financial constraints, could further worsen the situation. Digital mental health interventions, particularly Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, offer a relatively cost-effective and culturally adaptable approach. We want to generate evidence, particularly in low and middle-income university settings, to establish whether this approach can work for undergraduate students. Our main aim is to design, implement, and evaluate a Digital Cognitive Behavioural Therapy intervention tailored to our undergraduate students,” said Mr. Arudo, adding that the proposed application will incorporate AI to enable students to access mental health support and manage their mental well-being.
It is worth noting that the project is currently concluding its first phase, which involved consultations with student leaders, the Dean of Students, and other key University stakeholders to understand the mental health situation among students and inform the design of the intervention. The ongoing baseline survey will further establish the prevalence and levels of mental health challenges among MMUST students before the intervention is introduced. The next phase will be a randomized controlled trial and will involve rolling out the application to participating students. At the end of the study, researchers will evaluate its effectiveness by comparing mental health outcomes among students who use the application and those who do not, with particular focus on depression, anxiety, and stress.
The multidisciplinary research team comprises, Dr. Joel Ogutu (SASS), Dr. Samuel Kamoche from the Kakamega General and Referral Hospital, Mr. Henry Akello (Development Strategist, Public Health), Dr. Preston Simiyu (SCI), Dr. Lucy Mandillah (SASS), and Dr. Fridah Njeru (SASS). The student researchers involved in this research are Calvin Muema (SCI) and Brian Mutile (Master of Science in Advanced Nursing Practice at SONMAPS, and also a nurse at Kakamega General and Referral Hospital), and Mr. Nelman Obwengi (SEDU), the Project Co-ordinator.
By Caren Nekesa
Photos by Shiundu Masafu
