On February 12, 2026, the Brain and Mind Institute (BMI) hosted a community dissemination forum in Kaloleni, Kilifi County, bringing together community health promoters and healthcare workers to reflect on findings from two recent studies conducted through BMI’s Living Labs approach. More than a presentation of results, the forum created space for dialogue about what the evidence means for local action.
The Living Labs framework places communities at the centre of research. Rather than conducting studies in isolation, BMI researchers work alongside local stakeholders to identify priorities and co-create practical, culturally grounded solutions that respond to real needs.
“Living Labs allow us to move research out of traditional academic spaces and into the communities we serve,” said Dr Edna Bosire, Living Labs Lead at BMI. “It is about listening, understanding local challenges and designing interventions that are practical and sustainable.”
One of the studies presented, led by Dr Mary Bitta and Dr Jasmit Shah, explored how mental health challenges intersect with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and diabetes in rural Kenya. The research examined lived experiences across generations from adolescents, young adults to older adults, while identifying community-based coping strategies including psychosocial support approaches, play therapy for children and peer support groups for older adults.
The team intentionally adopted a life-course lens to understand how vulnerabilities accumulate over time. “By understanding experiences across different age groups, we can recommend interventions that strengthen psychosocial support and address risks linked to adverse childhood experiences and loneliness,” Dr Bitta explained.
Preliminary findings revealed a significant mental health burden in the region. According to Dr Shah, 51.3 per cent of adults reported mild to severe depressive symptoms, 45.2 per cent experienced poor sleep, and 27.4 per cent reported substance use. Among adults aged 60 and above, cognitive decline was also observed. The findings underscore the urgent need for more integrated health and mental health services at community level.
The forum also highlighted how research can inform policy and practice. Dr Saumu Chuphy from the Kaloleni Sub-County Ministry of Health noted that grounding research in local contexts makes it easier to design interventions that align with community priorities and can be implemented effectively.
Capacity strengthening was central to the Living Labs approach. Community Health Promoters were trained in data collection, enabling them to contribute directly to the research process and deepening community ownership of the findings. Felix Agoi, Lead Community Health Promoter, described the training as empowering and emphasized the importance of returning results to the community. “When the findings are shared with us, we understand better the challenges our people are facing,” he said. “It helps us plan more responsive and targeted support services.”
By bringing findings back to the community and inviting reflection, BMI reinforces a cycle of shared learning, ensuring that research does not end with data collection but translates into action that strengthens mental health and well-being where it matters most.
