Safe Space

In this final interview episode of Safe Space, Paulyne Wanyonyi speaks with Tom Osborn, founder of Shamiri, and Dr. Zaccheus Were, a family physician working in Bungoma, about the solutions already being built to address mental health and suicide in Kenya. From policy barriers and stigma to the shortage of psychiatrists and mental health resources, the conversation explores the challenges facing s...

How we talk about suicide matters.   In this episode of Safe Space, Paulyne Wanyonyi sits down with marriage and family therapist Dr. Marion Mutwiri to explore how media, headlines, films, songs, and social platforms shape the way people understand suicide.   From sensational news reporting to viral shows and music lyrics, the stories we consume can influence how we think about mental health, risk...

In many African cultures, suicide is rarely spoken about openly. In this episode of Safe Space, we explore how the Bukusu culture in Kenya understands suicide, life, and community responsibility. Robert Mumbwani shares how traditional beliefs shape the way suicide is discussed, why it is often spoken about indirectly, and how families and communities respond when it happens. This conversation offe...

In Kenya, religion and culture shape how many of us understand suicide, suffering, and mental health. In this episode of Safe Space, Paulyne Wanyonyi sits down with a Catholic priest and a pastor to explore how these beliefs show up in real conversations. They speak about the sacredness of life, how suicide is viewed in religious spaces, and the role faith plays when people are struggling. They al...

Some people never break down in public.  They keep showing up to work, meeting deadlines, caring for others, and doing everything expected of them. On the surface, they seem fine. But internally, they may be struggling with anxiety, burnout, overwhelm, or depression. In this episode of Safe Space, Paulyne Wanyonyi speaks again with Dr. Tima about the idea of being “high-functioning.” Together they...

In many Kenyan homes, conversations about pain and mental health are often silenced. But silence does not protect us, it isolates us. In this episode of Safe Space, host Paulyne Wanyonyi speaks with Professor Lukoye Atwoli, a psychiatrist and mental health expert, about what truly drives suicide.  Together, they unpack suicide as a manifestation of severe psychological distress and explore why it...

This first interview episode of Safe Space podcast opens our suicide series by addressing what is often spoken about in hushed tones. Hosted by Paulyne Wanyonyi, the conversation features clinical psychologist Dr. Tima Khamis, who brings over two decades of experience working with adults and young people navigating suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and psychological distress. The episode explores how...

In this episode, Elizabeth shares her experience of living with depression, grief, and bipolar 2 during pregnancy.  Throughout this period, she continued to function outwardly, even as her mental health struggled beneath the surface.  This episode reflects on what is often overlooked in high-functioning individuals, and how therapy became a place to slow down and acknowledge what was really going...

In this episode, Nigel shares his lived experience of his final years of high school, marked by intense pressure, the disruption of COVID-19, and a growing struggle with mental health. He speaks openly about feeling misunderstood and unsupported, how school began to affect his wellbeing, and how thoughts of suicide entered the picture during this period.  This conversation reflects on the gaps wit...

This lived experience explores mental health struggles through the lens of a clinical psychology student.  It speaks about emotional inhibition, identity and body image challenges, studying abroad, and finding ways to cope.  The conversation also touches on suicidal thoughts and the role humour played during difficult moments. Please listen with care and at your own pace.  Support & Resources:  Th...

In this episode, the storyteller reflects on the impact of academic pressure and expectations during his high school years.  He shares how this period affected his emotional wellbeing, and the role community played in helping him through it.  He also reflects on how suicide was spoken about then, and why he now believes in the importance of professional support and open conversation.  Support & Re...

In this episode, Muthoni speaks about losing two close friends to suicide and the impact that  those losses had on her life. She reflects on grief, the signs that only became clear in hindsight, and the emotional weight of living with unanswered questions.                    This episode also explores the role of support, community, and what it means to continue living while with grief. Please lis...

This episode shares John’s lived experience of being diagnosed with cancer and the emotional weight that followed.  He speaks openly about fear, isolation, anger, and the questions that came with his diagnosis.  John also reflects on seeking therapy during this time, and how his experience left him feeling unheard and misunderstood, especially when faith was presented as a solution to pain he was...

This short episode sets the stage for the thoughtful and sometimes difficult conversations that will follow. We gently explore what it means to talk about suicide in the Kenyan context, why grounding matters, and how to take care of yourself as you listen. This episode is an invitation to pause, breathe, and enter this series with openness and care.  Follow us on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/th...

After a long pause, Safe Space returns.  Paulyne reflects on how the podcast started, why stepping back became necessary, and what it took to return intentionally.  This episode holds space for honesty, an appreciation of growth, and the reality of slowing down when things feel overwhelming.  This is the start of a new chapter.  Subscribe and turn on post notifications so you don’t miss what’s nex...

Three Siblings; Paulyne, Sylvanus and Sophia discuss their shared experience with a toxic person within their lives, how they noticed that this person was toxic to how they managed to detach and move on. Connect with The Artistic Psychologist: https://www.instagram.com/theartisticpsychologist/ https://web.facebook.com/theartisticpsychologist https://the-artisticpsychologist.com

In this episode, Sophia and Nawekulo sit down to chat about the initial signs they saw in their loved one's toxic relationship and long term effects of staying in toxic or abusive relationships. Connect with The Artistic Psychologist: https://www.instagram.com/theartisticpsychologist/ https://web.facebook.com/theartisticpsychologist https://the-artisticpsychologist.com

In this episode, we asked Gloria, Sylvanus and Imani to share their stories on Toxic & Abusive relationships, how to identify when you're loved on is in a toxic or abusive relationship and how these experiences left them feeling. Connect with The Artistic Psychologist: https://www.instagram.com/theartisticpsychologist/ https://web.facebook.com/theartisticpsychologist https://the-artisticpsychologi...

In this episode I define what stalking is and break down different scenarios within which stalking happens and the effects it has with Lucy and Nicoleta. Remember to be mindful when sharing this content. We also want to remind you that it is ok to pause or stop when taking in any of the content we will release if it is too heavy for you. Connect with The Artistic Psychologist: https://www.instagra...

In this episode, I have a chat with Nicoleta and Lucy, we define and differentiate toxicity and abuse and share insights on how to identify the two in your relationships and where to seek help if you need it. Connect with The Artistic Psychologist: https://www.instagram.com/theartisticpsychologist/ https://web.facebook.com/theartisticpsychologist

Toxic vs abusive relationships is a series we are running where we will be sharing stories from different individuals about their experiences with these relationships and debunking what they are with professionals. We hope this series will help educate you and that it will also help you find the courage to share your experiences and make room to listen to other people’s experiences. Connect with T...

My COVID story is a series we are running where we will be sharing stories from different individuals about their personal experiences during the pandemic. We hope that this series will help you find the courage to share your experiences and make room to listen to other people’s experiences. in doing so, we hope that you will develop more empathy and compassion for yourself and others and that you...

My COVID story is a series we are running where we will be sharing stories from different individuals about their personal experiences during the pandemic. We hope that this series will help you find the courage to share your experiences and make room to listen to other people’s experiences. in doing so, we hope that you will develop more empathy and compassion for yourself and others and that you...

My COVID story is a series we are running where we will be sharing stories from different individuals about their personal experiences during the pandemic. We hope that this series will help you find the courage to share your experiences and make room to listen to other people’s experiences. in doing so, we hope that you will develop more empathy and compassion for yourself and others and that you...

My COVID story is a series we are running where we will be sharing stories from different individuals about their personal experiences during the pandemic. We hope that this series will help you find the courage to share your experiences and make room to listen to other people’s experiences. in doing so, we hope that you will develop more empathy and compassion for yourself and others and that you...