Every morning felt like a race against time. Scrolling through job portals, tailoring countless applications, and attending interviews that left me more confused than confident. I saw my classmates landing roles, starting businesses, and moving on with life while I was stuck, wondering if my degree was just a piece of paper. The social pressure was real. Friends would post their successes, and the likes and comments made me feel like I was the only one falling behind. That comparison led me down a dark road, where self-doubt and anxiety crept in.

Depression didn’t announce itself loudly; it was subtle at first. The constant feeling of exhaustion, losing interest in things I once loved, and a heaviness that weighed on my chest. Sometimes I felt invisible, like no one really saw the struggle behind my forced smile. It was hard to tell anyone because society expects you to have it all figured out after campus. But the truth is, I was barely figuring myself out.

Amidst this chaos, my relationships became both a source of comfort and tension. Navigating love while unemployed brought its own challenges. There were moments of deep connection, long talks that stretched into the night, and the kind of vulnerability that made me feel less alone. But there were also arguments fueled by stress, insecurities about the future, and the pressure of expectations from both sides. Love felt like a balancing act, holding on while also trying to keep my own dreams alive.

Being a man in this space added another layer of complexity. There’s an unspoken rule that men must be strong, providers, and emotionally tough. Showing vulnerability felt like admitting defeat. I battled with the idea that asking for help was weakness, even as I craved support. The silence around men’s mental health made it harder to speak up, and I often wore a mask just to get through the day.

But slowly, things began to change. I learned that hustle doesn’t always mean rushing; sometimes it’s about patience and persistence. I started setting small goals, celebrating little wins, and most importantly, accepting that my journey wouldn’t look like anyone else’s. The pressure from social media lost its grip when I reminded myself that behind every success story is a struggle no one sees.

In relationships, I found strength in honest conversations and boundaries. I realized that love should uplift, not drain, and that it’s okay to prioritize my mental health. Accepting my emotions and reaching out for help were not signs of weakness but courage. This shift allowed me to heal parts of myself I didn’t know were broken.

Looking back, life after campus is not a straight path but a winding road full of lessons, setbacks, and growth. The hustle, the depression, the pressure – they shape us but don’t define us. What matters is learning to navigate these storms with grace and remembering that it’s okay to be imperfect while chasing our dreams.

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Suicide is the second leading cause of death among girls between 15 to 19 years after maternal conditions, while road injury and interpersonal violence lead suicide cases among boys of the same age bracket.

Depression and other mental health disorders have been known to lead to a majority of suicide cases. Other reasons include financial problems, relationship break-up, life stresses, and illness. Further, cases of suicide are also high among people in conflict, disaster, and violence-stricken areas as well as vulnerable groups such as the LGBTI community, refugees, and prisoners.
In Kenya, it is estimated at least 311 Kenyans commit suicide every year; 240 men & 77 women, with suicide cases up 58% in the last decade. 

Nearly 800,000 people commit suicide every year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this accounts for one person every 40 seconds. Moreover, in every one death, there are over 20 suicide attempts.

According to the report, the most common methods of suicide are hanging, ingestion of pesticides, and firearms.

It is important that all suicidal threats are taken seriously. Do not ignore the warning signs! The suicide prevention acronym “ACT” (Act, Care, Treat) provides an easy way to remember the steps to take if you suspect someone is suicidal.

• ASK- ASK if someone is thinking about suicide.  Don’t be afraid to ask, “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” or “Are you thinking about suicide?”
• CARE- Let them know you CARE. Demonstrate a willingness to talk openly and freely.  Tell them that you care and don’t leave the person alone.
• TREAT- Get TREATMENT and seek out assistance as soon as possible.  

Life is short, indeed. But cutting it shorter by yourself shouldn’t be an option whatsoever. Life is precious too and everything about life is to be treasured.

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The birth of the internet unearthed both positive and negative impacts in the arena of mental health – from peer pressure on instagram, to seeing people win big on their LinkedIn timelines.

A good number of youths admit to camouflage their depression behind memes and social media. On the same chapter, social media has also propelled anxiety, loneliness, self-harm and even suicidal thoughts.

However, technology and internet at large carries benefits that can help you improve your mental health. There are mobile applications that are designed to help people manage and improve their mental health on a daily basis. These Apps are available both on App Store and Google Playstore.

I will share the list with you, but before then…

I would like to emphasize that these apps are not replacement for professional care. They are just self-care tools that match a variety of problems, disorders etc.

With that said, let’s jump right into the list:

1. NotOK

It can be difficult to ask for help when we’re struggling, and the team behind NotOK wants to make it easier. You create a group of trusted contacts, like your family, friends, therapist, or anyone else you can count on. After they accept your invitation, you can alert them with a tap of a button when you’re not okay and could use their support.

2.HearMe

Sometimes you just need a place to vent—and don’t always have the social support or space to do it. HearMe is there for those moments, connecting you instantly with an empathetic listener.

3. Smiling Mind

Smiling Mind is another meditation app designed with twentysomethings in mind, and it’s got the backing of Cricket Australia.

Designed by a team of psychologists it has a range of programs specifically designed for athletes, students, and people starting out in a corporate environment.

Smiling Mind is a free app and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

4. Mind the Bump

Mind the Bump is a free app dedicated to mindfulness meditation, but this time for parents-to-be. It has useful tips for expecting parents on how to support each other and themselves mentally and emotionally in the lead up to ARRIVAL DAY, and every day after.

Mind the Bump is a free app and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

5. SuperBetter

If traditional mental health apps tend to bore you, SuperBetter might be able to keep your interest. It gamifies mental health skill-building and self-care, teaching you to be more resilient through a series of superhero-themed missions and challenges.

6. PTSD Coach

Created by the National Center for PTSD, this app is for anyone who has or could have post-traumatic stress disorder, whether they’re currently in treatment or not. Some of its features include educational material, therapeutic tools, and info on professional care and support.

7. What’s Up

This app has a bunch of tools based on CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) to help you feel less anxious, stressed, angry, and more. Plus, you can connect with other users via the app’s built-in forum.

8. Rainn

Experiencing sexual violence is a risk factor for mental illness. To combat its physical and mental strain, Michener recommends RAINN, a free app designed by its namesake National Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. Chat with support specialists, explore self-care exercises, and learn about healing from sexual trauma.

9. Youper

If traditional therapy is too expensive, Youper offers an AI-powered alternative that helps you work toward your specific mental health goals. The app gauges how you’re feeling each day, offering audio, visuals, and words of encouragement that’ll keep you on track. Some people even use it alongside therapy.

10. Moodpath

Moodpath is an app available on both iOS and Android, which tracks your moods throughout the day. It’ll ask you a series of questions three times a day, and then collates that data to offer you insights into your mental health overall. This allows you to keep track of, and reflect on, your emotional wellbeing, which should help you know when you should seek extra help and support.

The app will also use that data to give you relevant courses, guided meditations, sleep aids, and other resources, which will aim to help improve your mental health. The best part? It’s completely free.

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Many students hope for a better life as they transition to the world of careers and working. As it looks, the reality is quite a different narrative.

A good number of graduates struggle to find jobs; they take time to apply and send in their CVs but all in vain. It can be devastating, if not frustrating.

It can get discouraging at times, especially if you had high hopes in getting a job immediately after campus. It’s even worse when your classmates happen to get opportunities whilst for you it’s still hitting rocks.

Though unemployment is a real struggle, it’s paramount to understand that as a graduate, not landing a job of your dreams immediately is not failing. It’s the process that leads to your destiny.

There are plenty of other opportunities to venture in while you chase your dreams.

Volunteer
Giving a hand in an organization that accepts volunteers can be a good start. Visit organizations around you and offer to help in their programmes.

This will help you build your CV and also gain some skills that can aid in your future career.

Adjust your expectations
Most graduates expect to land in jobs that they studied for. Unfortunately, that might not be the case. You might opt to try other avenues and see what life has to offer. Avoid being selective. Just dive into any job that you can find.

Don’t rely only on resumes
Resumes documents what you have done before, and who you are as a person. Looking beyond resumes might also help. Build a portfolio that shows what you do, what you are skilled in or what you are good at.

With this digital era, it’s easy to build a portfolio online. There are free portfolio sites such as Wix, Strikingly and Linktree that can help you with that.

Build skills
Learning new skills will help you cross the bridge safely. You can find free online courses that aligns with what you want to add in your skills bucket.

Network
You should know people who know people. Talking and building relationships with people who are already in the industry helps a lot.

You might need advice from them or any type of assistance. They may also share with you opportunities when they come up.

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Tell us a bit about yourself

My name is Clifford Otieno and my stage name is Omar Black born in the slums of Kibra on October 10, 1997.

When did you realize your passion for music?

Back in grade 4 it’s when I started rapping along other artists’ songs, one day my mum heard me and she was like “son do you sing” I said no and she was like “I know you do, give it your heart” She motivated me and that’s when I started listening to Lil Wayne who influenced me and is my role model. I try to follow in his steps.

Which is your favourite song, among your songs?

My favorite song is called “get ma track yoh” which I collaborated with Mos Big Hommie and came up with two different vibes and flow in one song.

Which song was the hardest to write?

The song that gave me the hardest time to write was “Booty Criminal” I was featured by @dabi delperis coz I had to specifically think and concentrate on the tittle. Although I love it and it’s still one of my favorites because we all came hard on it.

Which challenges do you face?

The type of rap I do, most people find it difficult to listen to. I professionally rap in English, that’s all I know, and since I’m from the ghetto most people hardly want to listen to pure Rap in English? On my flow they all say I’m dope but lyrics only a few get it. I am still doing my thing despite that being my greatest challenge.

If you were to change one thing in Kenyan music industry, what would it be?

In music industry we need to create more shows, event promotions and the government to take part too in paying artist by introducing more streaming platforms.

What are your plans for this year?

This year my plan is to work on my second album.

Advice

Artists, sacrifices are a must, for your music to pursue, you must have a source of income.

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Jen met her man on a dating App called hinge and knotted it into a relationship that would atleast lead to something serious – or so she thought it was.

One Friday evening, Jen was driving her Uber when she recieved a ride request from a woman. She re-enacted the scene in a TikTok video with over 3.4 million views.

Jen then made a few follow-up videos after a public demand. Her audience were hooked to the story that they wanted to know the ending.

So, she went on to explain the story and how it went down on that Friday night.

“So, I am out driving on Friday and I get an Uber request from a girl, no big deal. I go to pick her up. She gets in the backseat of my car on the passenger side. I looked over and she looked familiar, but I didn’t know her name.”

She narrated how she couldn’t recognize anyone because they were wearing party masks. But then the man with the woman got into the backseat of her car.

“I look in the rearview mirror, and we make eye contact and that’s when we both know. I knew it was him. He knew it was me” Jen continues, “I am like, wait, what’s happening right now? I drop them off at the arena and within five minutes he calls me and he’s like, ‘hey, I’m really sorry. I knew that was you. I should have said something but I just didn’t. I was in shock.”‘

Jen the Tik Toker cum Uber driver shrugged it off as a coincidence and believed the man’s story that he was with a friend amd nothing more. But something in her gut told her otherwise.

“At this point, 90 percent of me thought they were just friends and it was just a misunderstanding, a crazy coincidence. But there was a 10 percent of me – a small percent – that was like are they on a date right now?” She recalled.

“And the reason I thought that was because, when I had met his friend group, he had mentioned there was a girl in the group he used to have a thing with, but they weren’t a thing anymore.

Jen and her boyfriend discussed this over a phone call on Saturday where he completely denied the question that the woman he was with that night was not the same woman he had a thing with and said she was a friend.

” I straight up asked, ‘was this the girl that you had a thing with?’ and he said, ‘no, that wasn’t her.”’

The next day, Jen was at a bar with her friends talking about this entire Uber situation when the bartender told her that the woman she was talking about is here right now.

“And so, I’m like I should talk to her? We should talk it out, you know? Because she probably already saw the TikTok.”

The woman came up to Jen to talk to her and she confirmed that she was the woman Jen’s boyfriend had a thing with in the past. Jen then spoke to her boyfriend to confront him about it.

The man came out clean and apologized. Jen talked about how she didn’t hold any bad feelings towards the man.

According to her, they had a good time together, and that was it. A lot of her audience on Tik Tok told her she should be thankful for dodging a bad relatipnship in the future and that they’d never trust a man who lies so blantantly about being friends with someone they had a thing with.

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How old is Juliani?
Juliani’s date of birth has not been revealed yet though will be updated as soon as it’s available.

Where was Juliani brought up?
He was brought up in Dandora suburb with other six kids of the family. Back then he an individual from the gathering Ukoo Flani and performed with them at numerous clubs and nearby gigs to be specific at the prestigious Florida 2000 night club and gambling club before making the change to a free artist.

How did Juliani get into gospel music?
On his transition to gospel, he adds that he was raised in a Christian home and one of his friends called Brayo (of the secular group Warogi Wawili), had earlier gotten saved, and would encourage him. 

He introduced him to Nairobi Lighthouse Church and after much soul-searching; in 2005 he got born again and his spirituality grew day by day.

How did Juliani’s career come about?
In August, 2006, Juliani began working with Kijiji Records, whose name drove by neighborhood music pioneer Kanji, at a time in the past of Milele. He featured KORA chosen one, Astar, and they both visited numerous schools and universities.

He has socially upheld causes, for instance, Vina Na Maana-a fight against Economic Partnership Agreements, Stand Up Against Poverty-UN Millennium Campaign For MDG’s and as the World Vision Peace Tour-around Kenyan urban communities and towns.

In mid 2008, after the post-election viciousness in Kenya, he got together with other best craftsmen to record the multi-grant winning ‘Wakenya Pamoja’ single and its video.

Juliani was the main ever Kenyan craftsman to be marked to an undeniable UK-based record name, Gatwitch Records in 2008.

The result of that organization was the exceedingly acclaimed studio collection, Mtaa Mentality, discharged in December, 2008. Eve D’Souza, radio moderator, incited each admirer of cognizant music to get their hands on that collection.

Juliani teamed up with any semblance of KORA champ Eric Wainaina, Afro-combination sensation Kanjii, Kisima Nominees Holy Dave, and Wenyeji.

After the post-election brutality in Kenya, he got together with other best name craftsmen to record the multi-grant winning ‘Wakenya Pamoja’ single and its video in mid 2008.

It joined over 30 distinct acts such as humorist Churchill, Suzzana Owiyo, Abbi, Pete Odera and Rufftone.

Who is Juliani’s wife
Juliani is married to Lilian Ng’ang’a. He was previously married to Brenda Wairimu but got divorced.

How many Awards does Juliani has?
Kenyan Groove Awards champ in many classifications for the third year in succession and in 2008, as the desired male craftsman of 2008 at US Talanta Award champ.

The artist is known for his intense vybes and enthusiastic conveyance. He has additionally been designated a few times as the ruler of gospel rap.

Currently he is additionally the altruism envoy accountable for advancing youth cultivating in Kenya.

He has been on an ecological crusade since August 2009, and in December the same year spoke to Kenya at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

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The two officiated the marriage on Wednesday at an undisclosed location in Kiambu county.

Lilian was dressed in a baby pink flowing wedding gown whilst Juliani rocked a snow-white t-shirt with an ivory jacket, Dark-cplouref pair of trousers and white sneakers.

The “Hella” hitmaker had three groomsmen while Lilian had two bridesmaids who wore shoulder lavender gowns.

White and black graced the theme colour of their private wedding.

Lilian celebrated the wedding day by sharing a photo of her face beat photo wearing a cute ivory gown with a captipn that read, “Happy and grateful to be alive to see my favourite #2 looking soooo aligned! -2.2.22-“

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The 33-year-old ‘Diamonds’ singer and fashion mogul and her boyfriend were photographed in New York City over the weekend, where Rihanna debuted her baby bump while wearing a long pink jacket.

Her oversized outerwear was unbuttoned at the bottom to reveal her growing bump adorned in a gold cross with colourful jewels.

In one of the exquisite photos, which were snapped in Harlem, where A$AP Rocky grew up, the rapper kisses the soon-to-be mom on her forehead as they enjoy a snowy walk outdoors.

Rocky was a little more bundled up, wearing a jean jacket, sweater, leather pants and a knit cap as he held her hand in some pics.

Rumours that Rihanna was pregnant started after she appeared at an event in Barbados in November.

The two superstars have been friends and collaborators for years but started dating in 2020.

Rihanna previously dated Hassan Jameel, Chris Brown and Drake. While Rocky was previously linked to rapper Iggy Azalea from 2012 to 2013 and model Chanel Iman from 2013 to 2014.

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His music hits different. The creativity and the effort instilled in the craft is evident. He says most artists fake lifestyles and perceive music to be all about fame on radio and Tv.

However, his ambition is different. He strives to be the be the best in Kenyan music scene and bring in new energy into the wave. We catch up with him to get a glimpse of what his music journey looks like.

Tell us briefly about yourself

I’m Steven Spencer Otieno but I go by the name Tripple S KENYA. I’m from South Nyanza (Migori) but I was born in Mombasa, Kisauni, Mshomoroni eastate where I spent most of my childhood.

When did you start doing music?

I started music way back while I was still in Primary school. I first started as a dancer in roadshows. In those roadshows always emerged the winner. I invariably became the best dancer in Migori town in every competition held for so many years. From there, the passion of music got into me and I’ve been singing since then.

Whom do you look up to?

I look upto many Kenyan Artists who are/were doing good in the Kenyan music industry the likes of Jua Cali, King Kaka, KenRazy and Khaligraph Jones. I see the aforementioned as very hardworking, consistent with their craft and have positive impact to our music industry in Kenya.

Which song among your songs is your favorite?

All my songs are my favorite songs, I don’t have a specific song.

Which song gave you the hardest time to write?

Mmmh…’Point Blank’ gave me the hardest time while writing coz I wanted to try something different out of my comfort zone which was HIP HOP. I thank God I achieved it.

Which challenges do you face in your music journey?

I face many challenges in music industry especially interms of promoting my content to a larger audience because it requires alot of money when most people still don’t know you well.

If you could change one thing about Kenyan music industry in Kenya, what would it be?

I could change the mentality of Kenyan artists who think music is all about being famous on TV, Radio and the streets yet deep down in their heart and mind they know they own nothing from bank account to their rural areas. Walk the talk.

What are your plans for 2021?

Have got big plans for my fans this year. I look forward to doing great collaborations with big artists because they have been requesting me to do so. I also want to drop more singles and do extraordinary music videos, so yeah, expect more sauce this year.

Give a random advice

My advice to Kenyans; eat or live according to the length of your rope. Don’t say you are in depression yet you simply compare your life with other people’s life.

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