Jacquline Njeri looks back on her laid-back campus years, academic journey from tourism to psychology and career as a counselling psychologist, while discussing mental health stigma, loneliness, financial pressure and the need for stronger human connections.
Who is Jacquline Njeri ?
I am not simply my name, my achievements, my failures, my profession, or the roles I occupy in the lives of others. Those are parts of my story, but they are not the entirety of who I am. I am the sum of what I have experienced, but also what I have chosen to do with those experiences. I am shaped by the people who have loved me, the people who have hurt me, the lessons I have learned, the mistakes I have made, and the moments when I had to find myself again.
I am also the parts of myself that I am still learning to understand. There are things about me that I am proud of, and there are parts I am still learning to accept. There are beliefs I have outgrown, expectations I am learning to release, and wounds I am learning not to allow to define me. What remains when I remove the titles, the achievements, the expectations, and the identities that the world has given me? Perhaps that is where the real work of knowing oneself begins. I am a work in progress, but I am not unfinished. I am becoming more fully myself.
Where and what did you study in University/College?
I actually did 2 courses that’s a long story for another day. Started with Bachelor of Tourism Management at Africa International University (AIU) and then Later went back to study psychology up to advanced levels.
Favourite/ worst unit while on campus?
My worst unit while in school was philosophy but I came to like way later after school and the favourite was Communication and Public Relations.
How was campus life generally?
My campus life was fun, though I was one of the laid back students till the end.
How did you make money while on campus?
(Laughs) …. well, my mum….
How was dating on campus?
Well because I was laid back, I have no much adventure to speak about that.
What do you think of campus relationships?
As long as our students are well informed of dynamics at play and have a counselor or licensed helper to help deal with the challenges, it’s quite in order.
Where did you hang out on weekends?
My weekends I was mostly at home.
What did you do with your free time?
Sleep, I still sleep a lot during my free time (google about people who sleep a lot …. laughs)
Classmates you will never forget?
Linet Odera, Emmy and Jackton.
You are a counselling psychologist talk to us about that
Being a counselling psychologist, to me, is the privilege of witnessing the human story beneath the surface. People often carry experiences, fears, hopes, and wounds that are invisible to the world. My role is to create a safe space where they can be seen, heard, and understood without judgment.
Over the years, I have learned that people do not always need to be fixed; sometimes they simply need the space to understand themselves, find their voice, and reconnect with who they are.
Working with children, adolescents, and adults has taught me that healing is not always about becoming someone new. Sometimes, it is about finding your way back to yourself—with greater self-awareness, compassion, and courage.
For me, psychology is ultimately about people: their stories, their resilience, and the possibility of growth even in the midst of difficult seasons.
Many Kenyans still hesitate to seek psychological help because of stigma. What can be done to change this attitude?
The more we talk about something, the more we lessen the shame attached to it. Let’s normalize having talks about mental health, same way we speak about physical health. In due time, we will have a generation that has no issues saying they need help or that they are struggling.
What are some of the most common mental health challenges you are see among Kenyans today, and what factors are driving them?
Loneliness, isolation, leading to suicide, depression, anxiety…. One of our core human need is connecting. Due to life changes or pressure, people have become more distant and impersonal. Let’s reprogram and go back to checking up on each other, making those phone calls, sending texts and caring for one another.
How can parents, teachers and employers identify early signs that someone may be struggling with their mental health?
One clear sign of deteriorating MH is changes in daily patterns. We are looking at sleep patterns, feeding habits, hygiene, demeanour, loss of interest in things that were important to them, general aura of a person over an extended period of time.
How does the rising cost of living, unemployment and financial pressure affect people’s mental and emotional well-being?
Of course, this doesn’t help in having a fulfilling life. However, we need a people who have skills that help cope with life adversities. We don’t have it all figured out and there will always be uncertainty. Let’s allow ourselves to have healthy coping mechanisms so that whatever life throws at us, we get to rise above it.
What are some of the practical steps an individual takes to protect their mental health, especially when dealing with stress, anxiety or difficult life circumstances?
Ask for help from a professional. Journal your feelings, do some grounding exercises, take regular breaks in between your day, hydrate and eat right. Also, have a self-care tool kit that has your go-to stuff when you need to decompress.
A word, tip of encouragement or caution to young people?
You are what you do when no one is watching and remember your future self is just around the corner watching.
One thing you would tell your young campus self?
Jacque, be yourself, the world will adjust.