mental health blogger | researcher

Sitawa Wafula is a mental health blogger, researcher, and founder of one of Africa’s pioneering mental health social enterprises, which launched Kenya’s first free mental health support line. 

Her research, born from this innovation, examines access to mental health care through the lenses of migration, addiction, loneliness and social isolation, and offers policy recommendations to bridge gaps in care.

Beyond her scholarship, she finds balance in both creating and consuming art.

Her public-facing work began in 2010 with a personal blog that shared her experiences living with a mental health diagnosis, and earned a Google Africa Connected Award (2014). Through storytelling, advocacy, and public engagement, Sitawa has helped thousands across the continent access mental health information and support.

Under her leadership, MMMF:

• Reached over 11,000 people in its first year via the 22214 SMS support line.

• Hosted awareness events in schools, workplaces, and religious spaces.

• Ran the “Akili ni Mali” (Mind is Wealth) storytelling tour across Kenya and Nigeria.

• Launched a seasonal podcast to normalize conversations around mental health.

• Piloted a mental health academy, mentoring 30 champions from 8 African countries.

Her contributions earned recognition in Kenya and internationally, including awards from BET, Aspen Global Innovators (Senior Fellow), Google, and designation as a Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Champion by the Kenya Ministry of Health. She has also served on national policy committees, including the Kenya Mental Health Policy (2015–2030) committee, the national mental healthcare audit forum, and the National Epilepsy Coordination Committee.

A seasoned storyteller and public speaker, Sitawa has presented at TED Global Ideas Search, Aspen Ideas Festival, The MOTH, and the UN General Assembly, and opinion pieces have been published globally.

After more than a decade on the frontlines of mental health advocacy, Sitawa stepped back to reclaim her rhythm. She has since resumed her academic journey, focusing mainly on research while devoting much of her time to the arts. She continues to contribute to the mental health space through mymindmyfunk.org, an online resource hub connecting Africans to mental health support and opportunities wherever they are in the world.

I envision a world where Africans have access to proper mental health information and receive appropriate support wherever they are

~ Sitawa Wafula, MMMF Founder